The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private Gilberto Casillas Estrada (ASN: 38003968), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with an Infantry Company of the 169th Infantry Regiment, 43d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 11 July 1943, in New Georgia, Solomon Islands. Private Estrada killed two enemy machine gunners when they attacked his company on the Munda trail in New Georgia. He left the security of his own foxhole and crawled along the line of entrenchments, determined to break up the attack and save his comrades from further devastating fire. Armed with a machete, he killed two of the attackers and scattered others. In this hand-to-hand encounter, he was wounded by small arms fire and knife cuts, resulting in his death. He not only had unhesitatingly exposed himself to the enemy with unselfish daring but had risked the fire from his own troops who had orders to fire at “anyone who moves at night.” Private Estrada’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.