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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) R. M. Rhotenberry, 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 Machine Gun Section of Company H, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Second Lieutenant Rhotenberry distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Yongdon-ni, Korea, on the night of 6 – 7 November 1950. On that date, a machine-gun section of Company H was attached to Company C of the regiment to furnish supporting fire in holding positions on high ground where the company was deployed. When a concealed enemy machine-gun opened fire on the left flank of the company with such accuracy that several machine-gunners and nearby riflemen were wounded, Second Lieutenant Rhotenberry’s men became demoralized, abandoned their weapons, and ran for cover. Displaying outstanding courage, Lieutenant Rhotenberry moved through the hail of enemy fire, rounded up his men and returned them to their positions. Observing an abandoned light machine-gun lying close by, he moved the gun and ammunition to a point from which he could direct intense fire on the enemy positions. The heavy volume of fire delivered by him, together with the fire of his section, silenced the hostile fire and forced the enemy to withdraw. Shifting his fire to the opposite flank which was heavily engaged, he assisted in repulsing the attack on the right flank of the company. After the initial attack was repulsed and while the lead platoon was being reorganized, a heavy concentration of mortar fire struck the position, killing the infantry platoon leader and causing several other casualties. Lieutenant Rhotenberry unhesitatingly assumed command of the platoon and, organizing both the platoon and his machine-gun section, personally directed them in renewed action, forcing the enemy to retreat with heavy losses. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Second Lieutenant Rhotenberry on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.