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 Brigadier General Clifford Bluemel (ASN: 0-2642), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy as Commanding General of the 31st Division, Philippine Army, in action against enemy forces on 6, 7, & 8 April 1942, on Bataan Peninsula, Philippine Islands. At a time when all knew how hopeless the situation was, when his battle positions were disintegrating under the relentless pressure of enemy ground and air attacks and loyal and gallant men attempting to counterattack were so weak from hunger and disease they could not advance, General Bluemel continued to resist. Braving enemy missiles, exposed to capture from infiltrating groups, ignoring his own physical condition, for three days, and at the end alone, he traversed his area, organizing a small group of resistance here, locating a field gun there, and never admitting the final moment of defeat was at hand. In General Bluemel’s conduct was epitomized all the splendid American military traditions displayed by the defenders of Bataan.