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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Ralph H. Barnes, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. Second Lieutenant Barnes distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Uijongbu, Korea, on 24 March 1951. On that date, Company C, given the mission of securing Hill 337 from a well-entrenched and determined hostile force, was temporarily pinned down by intense enemy small-arms, automatic-weapons and mortar fire while moving toward the objective. Lieutenant Barnes, leader of the 1st platoon, realizing the necessity of seizing the objective to alleviate the pressure being exerted on other friendly units, courageously led his men forward in a frontal assault until forced to take cover. Observing that a machine-gun emplacement was blocking the platoon’s advance, Lieutenant Barnes ordered his men to cover him then fearlessly charged toward the enemy position, but was knocked to the ground by an exploding grenade. Although stunned, he regained his footing and, disregarding the intense enemy fire being concentrated on him, continued his single-handed assault. Hurling grenades into the hostile emplacement, he killed the four enemy occupants, permitting his unit to renew their attack and preventing the casualties the enemy-manned machine-gun undoubtedly would have inflicted. He then led his men in an assault that terminated with the seizure of the objective and resulted in heavy losses to the enemy in both men and equipment. Second Lieutenant Barnes’ heroic action, indomitable courage and sustained devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the finest traditions of the military service.