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 Private William O. Jordan, Jr. (ASN: 35778007), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in the Southwest Pacific Area on 8 May 1945. During military operations which culminated in the clearing of Japanese forces from Mindanao, Philippine Islands, Company C, 34th Infantry Regiment was advancing on a series of strongly fortified enemy positions near the Talomo River, one mile north of Bancal, when devastating interlocking machine gun fire from five enemy pillboxes forced the leading platoon to withdraw. Private Jordan, a rifleman, volunteered to guide another platoon around the left flank and to the rear in an attempt to neutralize the hostile strongholds. Under covering fire of the platoon he was leading, he made his way to the first enemy pillbox and, despite intense resistance, hurled several well-aimed grenades into the embrasure of the emplacement, killing its three occupants. With utter disregard for his own safety, he advanced on the second stronghold and in the same manner, destroyed the position. His supply of grenades exhausted, he made his way under heavy fire back to the platoon and procuring more grenades, returned once more to the scene of resistance. Repeating the intrepid procedure which enable him to reduce the first two emplacements, Private Jordan succeeded in neutralizing the third and in killing the Japanese gunners who manned it. By now the concentrated crossfire of the two remaining positions had become so intense that Private Jordan’s platoon leader ordered him to withdraw. Through his outstanding gallantry, indomitable fighting spirit, and unremitting determination to destroy the enemy at any cost, Private Jordan made a distinct contribution to the reduction of enemy resistance which seriously threatened the success of his company’s mission and his performance of duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.