The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Specialist Fourth Class John I. Verly, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company D, 3d Battalion, 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Verly distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 12 January 1969 while serving as point man during a night patrol mission. As his squad was returning in the early morning hours, Specialist Verly tripped an enemy booby trap submerged in a rice paddy. He instantly shouted a warning to his men, but realizing that the flat area afforded no real protection, he quickly fell forward, covering the dangerous device. The blast riddled his body with fragmentation wounds but his squad received no injuries. Specialist Four Verly’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United State Army.