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 Colonel (Infantry) Marcel Gustave Crombez, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer of the 5th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division. Colonel Crombez distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Koksu-ri and Chipyong-ni, Korea on 15 and 16 February 1951. After the 23d Infantry Regimental Combat Team was cut off and surrounded by five enemy divisions, a task force consisting of twenty-three tanks and one infantry company was organized and committed to attempt a break-through to the beleaguered force. Realizing the desperate plight of the besieged combat team, Colonel Crombez elected to lead the task force and, proceeding toward Koksu-ri on a narrow valley road, the unit came under devastating automatic weapons, mortar, small arms, and rocket launcher fire from a well-fortified road block, halting the advance. Colonel Crombez immediately coordinated an attack on the roadblock, pointing out targets to the tank gunners and directing the infantry in dispersing fanatical bazooka teams and antitank crews. When the lead tank was disabled and the tank company commander became a casualty, Colonel Crombez gallantly moved his own tank forward to spearhead the advance and, dominating and controlling the critical situation by sheer force of his heroic example, effected the break-through to the regimental combat team, contained the assault, and reopened vital lines of communication. Colonel Crombez’s valor and intrepidity inspired his officers and men to fight with great courage and skill, culminating in a toll of approximately 500 enemy dead, routing remaining hostile troops, and reflecting utmost credit on himself and the esteemed traditions of the military service.