David W. Macarthur

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to David W. MacArthur, First Lieutenant, U.S. Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Forward Air Controller, 5th ROK Regiment (Attached), 7th Republic of Korea Division, in action against enemy forces in the Republic of Korea from 21 to 23 April 1951. After the Fifth Regiment was overrun and surrounded by Chinese Communist forces, annihilation was imminent. Although morale of the men was badly shaken, Lieutenant MacArthur reorganized the group and despite intense enemy mortar, small arms and artillery fire, continued to direct effective air strikes against enemy positions for several hours. During this period, as he talked friendly fighters into their targets, he was wounded, his radio jeep was destroyed, and his interpreter and radio bearer killed by his side. Undaunted, Lieutenant MacArthur rallied the disorganized troops and led them from impending disaster. For two days, traveling a distance of fifty miles, exhausted and without food, Lieutenant MacArthur and his depleted force successfully evaded capture and continued to harass the enemy. Although many of his own men became casualties, Lieutenant MacArthur, through resourcefulness in the face of bitter enemy action, kept a small contingent intact and led them to safety.
General Headquarters Far East Command: General Orders No. 279 (December 18, 1951)