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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Elmer John Gainok, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a weapons platoon leader with Company K, 3d Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. Second Lieutenant Gainok distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Chonji, Korea, on 11 July 1950. On that date, Lieutenant Gainok had personnel of the platoon deployed as riflemen in a defensive position when he noted one of the front line platoons had been penetrated by superior enemy forces. He regrouped his platoon and launched a counter attack. The platoon had advanced approximately fifty yards when it was halted by extremely heavy machine-gun fire from the flank. Without regard for his personal safety, Lieutenant Gainok charged the enemy positions with hand grenades and his rifle. His expert use of grenades and the accurate fire from his rifle killed or wounded many of the enemy and caused the rest to flee, abandoning their weapons. He then placed his platoon in the gap left by the overrun platoon thereby consolidating the company’s lines. By his aggressive leadership he consolidated the company’s lines and saved the position from being overrun. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Second Lieutenant Gainok on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.