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 Captain (Infantry) Gilbert Stuart Holbrook (ASN: 0-350602/6656269), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 92d Division, in action against enemy forces on 8 and 9 February 1945, near LaFoce, Italy. As a Division Staff Officer, Captain Holbrook planned and supervised a diversionary attack of tanks, infantry and engineers as part of a coordinated division attack. When the engineers and infantry became disorganized by intense enemy artillery, mortar and machine gun fire, Captain Holbrook immediately dismounted from his tank, reorganized the troops and led his men in an attack to silence the hostile machine gun. On another occasion, when a battalion command post was attacked by a German patrol, he personally engaged the enemy with carbine fire and grenades, captured an enemy officer, killing two German soldiers and wounded several others to repulse the attack. Later, after the medical aid men had taken cover from enemy fire, Captain Holbrook and a fellow officer rendered first aid and evacuated casualties from the battlefield. When an enemy counterattack forced a company to withdraw, Captain Holbrook, after attempting unsuccessfully to rally the units, organized a group and led it forward to check the attack. While engaged in this action, Captain Holbrook was mortally wounded. His heroic courage and exemplary leadership reflect the finest traditions of the Armed Forces.