The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Corporal D. F. Payne (ASN: US-54039301), 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, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Corporal Payne distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Mandae-ri, Korea, on 2 September 1951. On that date, the company of which Corporal Payne was a member was engaged in a determined attack against a series of heavily fortified enemy positions located on a hill of vital strategic importance. Because of the commanding terrain held by the hostile troops, the friendly casualties mounted and Corporal Payne, in an effort to evacuate his helpless comrades from the scene of battle, organized his recoilless rifle section into litter squads. Making repeated trips across the fire-swept terrain, Corporal Payne carried several of the wounded to safety. Although it necessitated his moving along a trail through a combination minefield and barbed-wire barrier directly under the enemy guns, Corporal Payne voluntarily continued with his self-assigned mission, often cradling his stricken comrades in his arms to shield them from enemy fire and running through the impact area to a position of safety. Although exhausted and near collapse from his tremendous exertion, he unhesitatingly traversed the hazardous route each time he heard the call of a wounded comrade. As he searched for additional casualties in an area where the battle was raging fiercely, he observed a hitherto undiscovered hostile machine-gun emplacement a few yards before him. Without regard for his personal safety, he immediately called for mortar fire and, from an exposed position, adjusted the fire until the enemy emplacement had been destroyed. It was in this position that Corporal Payne was later mortally wounded by the intense enemy fire. His selfless actions save the lives of many of his comrades wand greatly inspired all those witnessing them. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Corporal Payne on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.