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 Colonel (Field Artillery) Albert Chester Searle (ASN: 0-5141), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer of the 2d Battalion, 131st Field Artillery Regiment, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE), in action against Japanese forces at Bandoeng, Java, Netherlands East Indies, on 27 February 1942. On that day, in the face of certain capture by the Japanese, Colonel Searle, then a member of Allied High Command staff, volunteered for the mission of organizing and leading units of the U.S. Field Artillery in support of “Black Force”, composed of Australian, British, and American elements, that was operating in defense of the Preanger Plateau in Java. Colonel Searle’s courage and initiative served to inspire the badly-shattered units to rally in an effort against overwhelming Japanese forces and thereby provide time for the allied forces to occupy prepared position. His extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.