The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Staff Sergeant Jack Walton Bloomer, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company H, 2d Battalion, *** Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in the vicinity of Salerno, Italy, on 14 September 1943. Sergeant Boomer, a platoon sergeant in command of a patrol of 14 men, saw about 100 enemy soldiers approaching under a white flag. Assuming the enemy was unarmed and attempting to surrender, he called out to them and was answered with a stream of deadly fire. Grabbing a Browning machine gun, Sergeant Bloomer fired three belts at the Germans, nearly 75 yards away. The enemy scattered in to ditches and engaged the American patrol. Dragging a machine gun tripod and ammunition to a completely exposed position on a railroad track, Sergeant Bloomer shot and killed 31 of the enemy, while the rest of the patrol engaged others. Later, when the platoon was reassembled, an enemy shell exploded less than 200 feet away, wounding Sergeant Bloomer and killing his lieutenant. Staff Sergeant Bloomer’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.