The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant First Class Earl Louis Copple (ASN: RA-46024756), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with 3d Reconnaissance Company, 3d Infantry Division. Sergeant First Class Copple distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Kumyangjang-ni, Korea, 18 January 1951. Sergeant Copple’s reconnaissance patrol was ambushed and threatened with imminent annihilation. Immediately, with the first volley of merciless fire, he realized that the patrol had been cut off and surrounded. With complete disregard for his own safety, he dismounted from his vehicle, grasped several grenades, and charged an enemy machine-gun emplacement, throwing the grenades as he neared the position. Upon reaching the position, he threw back part of the cover, found one occupant still alive, and killed him with his rifle. The courageous act opened a route of escape for the beleaguered patrol and prevented it from suffering many more casualties. Finding the enemy machine-gun in the position he had destroyed still operative, he turned it on the enemy to cover the withdrawal of his comrades and continued firing until he was mortally wounded. The extraordinary heroism of Sergeant Copple reflects the highest credit upon himself and is in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.