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 Sergeant J. E. Bales, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. Sergeant Bales distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Uijongbu, Korea, on 24 March 1951. On that date, Sergeant Bales’ platoon was given the mission of attacking and securing a well-defended enemy held hill near Uijongbu. As the attack commenced, the Second Squad, led by Sergeant Bales, moved out as the lead element of the platoon and after advancing approximately seventy-five yards across open, fire-swept terrain, encountered the first enemy position. Deploying his squad to furnish covering fire, Sergeant Bales secured eight grenades and single-handedly charged the position, hurling grenades into the entrenchment as he approached it. Then, assaulting the position with his rifle, he killed five enemy soldiers and captured two. Although constantly exposed to intense hostile fire, he signaled his squad to advance and then led his men in systematic assaults on the remaining enemy positions. On one occasion, Sergeant Bales boldly advanced to within fifteen feet of an enemy position and fired a rocket launcher from point blank range into a fiercely defended dugout, forcing three enemy troops to surrender. The personal bravery and aggressive leadership of Sergeant Bales resulted in sixty-three enemy killed and in the complete dispersal of a numerically superior hostile force. The extraordinary heroism of Sergeant Bales reflects the highest credit upon himself and is in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.