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 Gilbert Clinton Knodel (ASN: 19030031), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with an Infantry Company of the 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 11 January 1943. Private Knodel volunteered to accompany a patrol whose mission was to eliminate an enemy stronghold situated in some dense undergrowth. The patrol was halted by enemy machine gun fire as the men attempted to descend a steep slope bordering the gulch in which the enemy emplacement was located. Private Knodel volunteered to proceed alone, in an attempt to reach the objective. Driven back by heavy fire in the first two attempts, he tried to approach the stronghold from a different direction and in doing this was hit by enemy machine gun fire. Although mortally wounded, he crawled forward until he was within five yards of the position and destroyed the enemy emplacement with hand grenades. Private Knodel’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.