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 Jack R. Gibler (ASN: 20726589), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 21st Cavalry Reconnaissance Troup (Mechanized), 23d Infantry Division (Americal), in action against enemy forces at Bougainville, Solomon Islands, on 25 April 1944. As his patrol was entering camp, the fuse of a fragmentation hand grenade in the left breast pocket of Private Gibler’s jungle suit unexpectedly ignited. He attempted to withdraw the smoking grenade, but could not get it free of the pocket. Immediately sensing the peril to which he was exposing his comrades, he shouted warning, turning away from the group, and lurched forward to the ground in order to smother the force of the oncoming explosion. As he did so the grenade detonated, wounding him mortally. None of his comrades was injured. Private Gibler’s act of self-heroism, involving certain self-destruction, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.