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 Private First Class James Verner Cline (ASN: RA-13365172), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a machine-gunner with an Infantry Company of the 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. Private First Class Cline distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Karhyon-ni, Korea, on 15 June 1952. Late on the night of 15 June 1952, the company in which Private Cline served was occupying defensive positions on an important hill when it was exposed to an intense mortar and artillery bombardment followed by a hostile attack. As the foe began to advance toward the friendly positions, an enemy artillery round landed near Private Cline’s machine-gun emplacement, burying the gun crew and overturning their weapon. Quickly digging himself free, Private Cline hurriedly righted his gun, cleaned the dirt from it, and began firing at the advancing enemy, finally throwing back their assault. Although other enemy elements had penetrated the friendly perimeter to his right, he remained at his post and, when a machine-gun supported the second wave of attackers, he skillfully destroyed the weapon and single-handedly turned back the hostile advance. Another wave of the foe moved forward supported by a pack howitzer. This weapon was fired only once before Private Cline found the range and killed its entire crew. By this time the hostile infantrymen had advanced to within grenade range of his position, and one of the exploding enemy grenades seriously wounded Private Cline. Despite the fact that both of his legs were riddled with shrapnel and his right arm was all but useless, he swung his gun around and fired continuously into the advancing waves, successfully hurling them back. His ammunition supply finally exhausted, Private Cline, using a pistol and grenades, assisted in routing the foe who had penetrated the defense perimeter. In this action another hostile grenade wounded him in the face, forcing him to submit to medical treatment. During the extended fanatical assault, Private Cline personally accounted for more than one hundred of the enemy casualties. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Private First Class Cline on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.