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 First Class William Clinton Quarles (ASN: 34948322), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in the Philippine Islands, on 24 May 1945. As the point squad, Company E, 34th Infantry Regiment, in which Private Quarles was an automatic rifleman, prepared to move forward in an attack on an enemy strongpoint near Matina, Mindanao, it was suddenly subjected to an intense grenade attack by Japanese hidden in a dense abaca grove beside the route of advance. Two men were killed and nine wounded and as the squad withdrew from its exposed position, it received enemy machine gun and rifle fire. Private Quarles was badly wounded himself but, with a complete disregard for his own safety, stood, fully exposed to the foe, and delivered automatic rifle fire on the well-concealed enemy in a gallant effort to enable his comrades to withdraw. He temporarily silenced the hostile machine gun but the enemy soon returned it to action and concentrated their attack on Private Quarles, now the target of a squad of enemy snipers as well. He was again wounded but continued his close range fire until he was killed. By his outstanding courage, spirit of self-sacrifice and devotion to duty, Private Quarles saved his comrades from deadly enemy fire and set an inspiring example of gallantry worthy of the highest traditions of the American Soldier.