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 Major (Infantry) Gilbert Noyes Dorland (ASN: 0-87089), 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 Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry, 196th Infantry Brigade (Light) (Separate). Major Dorland distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 23 November 1967 while serving as commander of a two-company task force on a combat operation near Dong Son. While moving toward a suspected enemy location, the infantry elements suddenly received intense hostile automatic weapons and small arms fire. Major Dorland immediately maneuvered his mechanized element in front of the beleaguered infantry troops and directed lethal machine gun fire on the North Vietnamese positions. The armored personnel carrier in which he was riding received a direct hit from an enemy anti-tank weapon. The round killed the track commander and threw Major Dorland to the ground. He was run over and severely wounded by the vehicle as it backed into a defilade position. Although in great pain, he refused to be evacuated and accepted first aid as he continued to direct the deployment of his troops. Braving an increasingly savage hail of bullets and rocket fire, Major Dorland gallantly moved throughout the battlefield to adjust friendly artillery and air strikes and commit reinforcements to critical locations. His fearless and inspiring leadership in close combat with a determined enemy force was responsible for an overwhelming victory. Major Dorland’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.