Navy Federal Credit Union

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 Levy Victor Hollis, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with 3d Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Master Sergeant Hollis distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Haman, Korea, during the period from 21 to 24 August 1950. Master Sergeant Hollis’ battalion was engaged in a fierce fire-fight with the enemy for the strategically important high ground near Haman, known as “Battle Mountain,” or “Bald Hill.” Despite the fact that his job as Battalion Operations Sergeant would ordinarily confine him to the battalion command post, he constantly moved under heavy enemy machine-gun, mortar, and small-arms fire from one end of the sector to the other, coordinating the fire and attack of assault elements and providing invaluable assistance to the battalion commander. Throughout this period he was active in organizing stragglers from the assault units of the battalion. He accompanied the battalion commander to front line positions on numerous occasions and on 22 August 1950 moved through intense enemy fire to carry ammunition to a strategically-placed machine-gun position. On 24 August 1950, battalion front line troops withdrew after being heavily attacked by a numerically superior enemy force. Sergeant Hollis, after rounding up stragglers, reorganized them as they came off the hill. Issuing weapons to those who had lost them in the attack or whose weapon was not functioning properly, he personally led them in a counterattack. His courage and initiative inspired the men to perform prodigious feats of arms and pushed the enemy off the position. At all times during this period Master Sergeant Hollis voluntarily led and directed carrying parties with vital supplies of water and ammunition to assault elements in the thick of the fight. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Master Sergeant Hollis on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.

Awards Received