The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Wallace Murdock Hanes (ASN: 0-33384), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer of the 3d Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Lieutenant Colonel Hanes distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Kusong-po-ri, Korea, on 17 and 19 May 1951. On 17 May 1951, the 3d Battalion was defensively deployed in a strategically important sector of the 2d Division lines when the enemy launched a massive offensive against the battalion positions. Utterly indifferent to the intense mortar barrages preceding the attack and the intense small-arms and automatic-weapons fire which accompanied it, Colonel Hanes remained with the most forward elements of his battalion, encouraging his men and directing their fire. Inspired by the aggressive leadership and heroic actions of Colonel Hanes, the battalion steadfastly held its positions, even when infiltrating enemy forces reached the area occupied by the friendly troops. With his troops secure in deeply dug and well covered foxholes, Colonel Hanes brought heavy artillery fire on his own position, slaughtering the hostile forces and foiling each desperate attempt by the enemy to effect a breakthrough. When enemy elements succeeded in outflanking some of the battalion positions, he met them with fierce counterattacks, skillfully directing effective fire of his mortars and personally leading his reserves in repelling the enemy at bayonet point. When the enemy retreated on the evening of 19 May 1951, 2500 enemy dead were counted in front of the 3d Battalion positions and it was estimated that the hostile forces had suffered between 8,000 and 10,000 casualties in their futile attempts to break the resistance of Colonel Hanes and his gallant battalion. The extraordinary heroism and superb leadership of Colonel Hanes reflect great credit on himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.