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 Sergeant John O. Hopple (ASN: 20600408), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company B, 192d Tank Battalion, Provisional Tank Group, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE), in action against enemy forces in the Philippine Islands, on 7 February 1942. During the Battle of the Pockets on Bataan, Sergeant Hopple and three other members of the battalion rescued another member of the battalion who had been hit by enemy fire. They crawled out to the man with a stretcher under enemy fire. During the rescue, Sergeant Hopple was hit by enemy fire but continued to carry the stretcher. He was driven to a field hospital where he died from his wounds. Sergeant Hopple’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 and the United States Army.