The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Warrant Officer One (WO-1) James Bruce Tasker (ASN: W-3157697), 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 Troop D, 3d Squadron, 5th Cavalry, 9th Infantry Division. Warrant Officer Tasker distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 24 June 1968 while participating in a visual reconnaissance mission north of An Nhut Tan. He was flying his aircraft at low altitudes over a suspected enemy-held area when he received a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire which wounded him and his crew chief and caused the ship to crash. Mister Tasker jumped out of the craft and began firing at the Viet Cong, thus enabling his crew chief to escape the wreckage. Then, with complete disregard for his wounds and his safety, he attacked and silenced two enemy bunkers with grenades. Gunships repeatedly attempted to effect a rescue, but were stopped by a devastating fusillade of hostile fire. Mister Tasker and his crew chief heroically fought their way through the Viet Cong lines until the position was overrun and they were killed. Warrant Officer Tasker’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.