The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Master Sergeant David R. Pinney (ASN: RA-11146191), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. Master Sergeant Pinney distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Mayon-ni, Korea, on 23 March 1953. Sergeant Pinney, responsible for protecting the command post, upon hearing a disturbance moved forward to investigate. As Sergeant Pinney approached the command post bunker, an enemy solider at a distance of about ten yards opened fire and wounded the bunker guard. Sergeant Pinney fired at the enemy soldier and killed him, but a grenade which the enemy soldier exploded and seriously wounded him. This action set off an enemy attack and, although he was in great pain, he formed his men into a close perimeter defense, checked their positions, and directed their fire, adding his own accurate rifle fire to the attempt to ward off the hostile forces. In the course of the battle, Sergeant Pinney observed an enemy soldier moving toward one of his men who had been wounded. Disregarding his own safety, Sergeant Pinney moved through the withering fire toward the wounded man. When he had almost reached him he was again hit by an enemy grenade. Unable to rise as a result of his wounds, Sergeant Pinney crawled to his comrade and, using the stricken man’s weapon, killed the advancing soldier and others who followed. Sergeant Pinney continued to direct accurate rifle fire into the enemy ranks until he was wounded a third time. He was then carried to a position where he could direct the men, and he remained there, refusing medical aid, until the attack had been successfully repelled. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Master Sergeant Pinney reflects the highest credit upon himself and is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service.