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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Stephen E. Gray (ASN: 0-28683), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Gray distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Changnyong, Korea, on 16 September 1950. As one of the leading elements in the 3d Battalion, Lieutenant Gray led the 3d platoon of Company L in an attack on enemy defensive positions along the Naktong River. His platoon immediately came under extremely heavy and accurate enemy mortar, machine-gun, and small-arms fire. Under direct fire from an enemy machine gun, he led his platoon forward in a charge on the first objective. He destroyed one enemy machine-gun and assisted in eliminating a group of sixty enemy soldiers who had the advantage of entrenched positions. Reorganizing his platoon, he prepared to continue the attack toward the second objective which was better defended than the first. In spite of this fact, he shouted to his platoon to move forward and courageously led the attack. At times prior to the second assault, he directed supporting mortar fire to within twenty-five yards of his own position. Although the binoculars hanging around his neck were hit by shell fragments, he did not hesitate in the face of this intense enemy fire, and the ferocity and daring of his assault along with his platoon routed the enemy from their positions. Upon receiving a third objective, Lieutenant Gray organized a tank-infantry attack, and again personally led the assault on the objective. This third assault completely demoralized the enemy and drove them from their man line of resistance. Lieutenant Gray's daring and inspiring leadership on this occasion was a major factor in the success of Company L's attempt to reach the Naktong River. His actions accounted for an estimated one hundred enemy dead and wounded, the elimination of three mortars, two fortified machine-gun positions, and one enemy field piece. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Lieutenant Gray reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.