The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Corporal Gerald Lee Dilley (ASN: RA-17263329), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. Corporal Dilley distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Hyenbang-ni, Korea, on 30 January 1951. On that date, Corporal Dilley’s company was attacking a massive and rugged terrain feature firmly held by an estimated reinforced enemy company in well-prepared, sandbagged and camouflaged positions. As the attack progressed, his squad leader was wounded and evacuated. Corporal Dilley, although painfully wounded, assumed command of the squad and continued to direct the attack. After neutralizing two enemy positions, an enemy grenade landed so close to him that he was knocked one hundred feet down the nearly vertical hill. Ignoring the bruises and the pain from his wound, he quickly climbed back to his squad and continued to lead them in their advance. The last objectives of his squad were two emplacements consisting of two machine-guns in one and two submachine-guns in the other, which were holding up the advance of the entire company. Working his way forward under extremely heavy machine-gun fire and a shower of grenades, he reconnoitered the best route to attack these positions. While on this mission he was again wounded by machine-gun fire; but upon returning to his squad, organized them for the final assault. Leading them aggressively forward, he singled out one of the machine-gun emplacements, moved into it and with his bayonet and rifle butt killed the crew of four as his squad engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. As these positions were cleared, enemy resistance on the hill crumbled and the company moved forward. While Corporal Dilley reorganized his men in a defensive position on the summit of the mountainous area, the company commander detected his wounds and ordered him to the rear for medical attention. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Corporal Dilley on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.