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 Sergeant John Alexander, Jr. (ASN: US-53016549), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Squad Leader in Company F, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Sergeant Alexander distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Hagaenyong, Korea, on 12 September 1951. On that date, Sergeant Alexander’s men comprised the lead squad in an assault launched by his company against a numerically superior hostile force occupying heavily fortified hill emplacements. As the friendly troops advanced on the objective, they were subjected to a barrage of grenades and a heavy volume of small-arms and automatic weapons fire from the enemy positions. Locating the hostile emplacement from which most of the fire originated, Sergeant Alexander led his men in repeated assaults against it, but each time they were hurled back because of the heavy fire. Realizing that this men would be annihilated if the position was not neutralized, Sergeant Alexander left his position and, without regard for his personal safety, single-handedly charged the enemy strongpoint. Although the entire firepower of the hostile force was being concentrated on him, he steadfastly moved forward, alternately hurling grenades and firing his rifle. As he neared the position, an enemy grenade bounced from his helmet and exploded at his feet, destroying his weapon and knocking him to the ground. Undaunted, he jumped to his feet and, even though he was without a weapon, resumed his assault. Reaching the hostile position, he leaped inside and, wrenching a machine-gun from one of the enemy soldier, he killed all of the occupants of the entrenchment. Then, signaling his men to move forward, he led them in an assault which drove the hostile force from the hill with heavy casualties. The extraordinary heroism of Sergeant Alexander reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.