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 Curtis D. Pugh (ASN: RA-6396324), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Master Sergeant Pugh distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Haman, Korea, on 15 September 1950. On that date, Master Sergeant Pugh, as a volunteer member of a rear guard, held his position on a narrow mountain ridge and fought off a series of fanatical enemy assaults at ranges as close as ten yards. He personally stopped one attack by rising from behind his rock barricade with utter disregard for his own safety and firing his automatic rifle in an arc before him. When his battalion commander was engaged in a hand-to-hand combat with enemy soldiers, Sergeant Pugh came to his rescue and saved the life of the battalion commander by shooting the enemy soldiers who had succeeded in wounding him. Sergeant Pugh then maintained a base of fire until the wounded officer was able to escape. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Master Sergeant Pugh on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.