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 Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Harry Ainsworth Clark, Jr. (ASN: 0-33937), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Commanding Officer of the 3d Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Lieutenant Colonel Clark distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Um-Dong, Korea, on 17 March 1953. On that date, Colonel Clark was on a position that was subjected to an intense attack by approximately two enemy companies, which succeeded in overrunning the friendly position and were threatening the security of the entire regimental sector. Upon receiving word of the acute situation, Colonel Clark moved immediately to the scene of the battle. Organizing a counterattacking force, he led the men toward the position through a devastating barrage of enemy artillery and mortar fire. When he reached the crest of the hill, Colonel Clark was wounded by fragments from an enemy grenade. Refusing medical aid, he immediately set up a perimeter of defense and began directing the evacuation of men who had been wounded in the initial advance. After he was certain that all of the seriously wounded men had been evacuated from the area, Colonel Clark regrouped his men and, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, led the small force in a direct attack upon the overwhelming enemy forces, engaging them in bitter hand-to-hand combat. Though he was wounded a second time in this phase of the action, he steadfastly refused evacuation and continued to direct the men in repelling the enemy and mopping up small pockets of resistance. Hastily placing the men in an effective perimeter defense, Colonel Clark moved among the men shouting words of encouragement and checking their fields of fire in preparation for the expected enemy counter-attack. While he was moving toward the command post, he was wounded for the third time in the legs, making it impossible for him to move. Though he was completely exhausted and suffering from shock, he continued to direct the men by use of runners until he was carried to a bunker and later evacuated. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Clark on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.