The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Staff Sergeant J. L. Oliver (ASN: RA-16306964), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. Staff Sergeant Oliver distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 6 May 1967 while serving as squad leader during a search and destroy mission near the Cambodian border. As the friendly units moved through dense undergrowth, Sergeant Oliver detected movement to his right front. Without hesitation, he ordered his machine gun and grenade launching crews into action. While a platoon provided a base of fire, Sergeant Oliver led his squad toward the Viet Cong emplacements. He spotted several bunkers and cautioned his men to take cover. While they engaged the insurgents with rifle and machine gun fire, he bolted towards the first fortification, threw a grenade inside, and killed all of its occupants. Again exposing himself to the hostile barrage, Sergeant Oliver ran to the next Viet Cong bunker and was successful in blowing it up. He then fired on the remaining insurgents with extreme effectiveness. His aggressive moves throughout the engagement seemed instinctive and without regard for his own safety, and his destruction of the Viet Cong fighting strength saved his unit from summering many casualties. He was credited with seven insurgents killed in action and many wounded. Staff Sergeant Oliver’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.