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 First Class Joseph Phillip Reeves, 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 G, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Sergeant First Class Reeves distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Yongju, Korea, on 30 March 1951. On that date, Sergeant Reeves led his rifle squad across open terrain under a deadly hail of enemy fire to the base of a precipitous slope of Hill 764 which was being heavily defended by the enemy. Leading his men up the hill in the face of withering automatic weapons and small-arms fire, Sergeant Reeves reached a point on the hill which offered footing for his riflemen. Establishing a base of fire, he pulled himself forward to within a few yards of an enemy machine-gun nest, killing its crew with a grenade and killing four other enemy soldiers with his carbine. Returning to his squad, he deployed them into effective firing positions and shortly thereafter, the enemy launched a fanatical counterattack. Through the inspiring leadership of Sergeant Reeves the attack was repulsed; however, he was left with only two men who were not wounded. While waiting for reinforcements, the enemy launched anther counterattack against the position. Displaying outstanding courage and coolness, Sergeant Reeves remained in position firing his carbine and throwing grenades at the on-rushing enemy horde. The two men with Sergeant Reeves were also wounded, leaving him the lone defender of the position. After expending all the ammunition from his weapon and the weapons of his wounded comrades, he was attacked by an enemy soldier armed with an automatic weapon and they engaged in hand-to-hand combat. Wrenching the weapon from the enemy, Sergeant Reeves killed him, then turned the automatic weapon on the remaining hostile force, repulsing their attack and putting them to route. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Sergeant First Class Reeves on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.