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 First Class Robert L. E. Cope (ASN: 35796689), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations while serving with Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy 12 March 1944, at Bougainville, Solomon Islands. Private Cope was a member of a flame thrower team ordered forward to destroy a Japanese-held pillbox which had stopped the advance of an assault company. Fully exposed to hostile machine gunners, snipers and grenadiers, he crawled up the treacherous slope to the enemy-occupied hill crest. When he was only 10 yards from the pillbox, he rose to his feet and in full view of the enemy blasted the fortification until it was completely destroyed. Private Cope returned over the same fire-swept area five times to recharge the flame thrower and with his companions accounted for the destruction of four Japanese pillboxes, their occupants, and their weapons. His heroic action substantially reduced the enemy’s fire power and made it possible for a violent attack to continue until the Japanese forces were annihilated. Private First Class Cope’s 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, the 37th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.