The Distinguished Service Cross. Established by order of The President, 2 January 1918. Awarded to members of the US Army serving after 6 April 1917, who distinguished themselves by "Extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force."
Pfc Walter J. Dilbeck, Jr, F Company, 253d Infantry Regiment
By direction of the President the Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to the following individual: WALTER J. DILBECK, JR., 35 481 476, Private First Class, Company "F", 253d Infantry Regiment, for extraordinary heroism in action on the 6th of April 1945, in the vicinity of Buchhof, Germany. When his company was hit from two sides by a strong and determined enemy force of over two hundred SS troops, Private First Class Dilbeck observed that panic was running wild among our troops. Everyone just took off for the rear allowing the enemy forces to move into the foxholes as fast as they were vacated. From this new position the Germans poured out a deadly stream of automatic and small arms fire causing terrific casualties among the Americans and giving them no chance to reorganize. Realizing that something had to be done to stop the enemy attack, Private First Class Dilbeck stopped voluntarily on a bare knoll and began to pour deadly automatic rifle fire into the ranks of the charging SS troops. With conspicuous gallantry and determination he stood his ground even through all the fire power of the enemy was almost upon him, but he continued to fire as fast as he could change magazines. The enemy attack finally stalled because of their terrible losses. Private First Class Dilbeck had killed or wounded over sixty of the SS troops. Because of his indomitable courage and fearless tenacity, Private First Class Dilbeck saved the lives of many of his comrades and made it possible for his company to withdraw successfully, reorganize and hold its new position. (GO 92, Hq 7th US Army, 1946) Webmaster's note: See Division Memorials, F Co 253, Buchhof for additional information concerning this battle.
Captain Robert H. Meade, I Company, 253d Infantry Regiment
By direction of the President the Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to the following individual: ROBERT H. MEADE 0 423 346, Captain, Infantry, Company "I", 253rd Infantry Regiment, for extraordinary heroism in action on 8 April 1945, near Zuttlingen, Germany. When his company was unable to enter the town because of heavy enemy machine gun activity, Captain Meade, armed with an M-1 rifle, moved out alone toward the objective. His daring attack resulted in the capture of fourteen SS men and completely unnerved the strongly entrenched enemy. Advancing through the town under sniper fire, he located the mayor and then forced more than one hundred hostile civilians to cease resistance. Captain Meade's courageous action achieved, single-handledly, the surrender of the town. His outstanding initiative and gallantry reflect great credit upon himself and in keeping with the finest traditions of the infantry. Entered military service from Washington, Indiana. (GO 496, 7th Army 10 Sep 45)
Gerald B Stegemeyer, Private First Class, F Company, 253rd Infantry Regiment.
By direction of the President the Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to the following individual: GERALD B. STEGEMEYER Private First Class, 36 817 433, Company "F", 253d Infantry Regiment, for extraordinary heroism in action on 6 April 1945, in the vicinity of Buchhof, Germany. When the platoon sergeant leading the machine gun section was seriously wounded in the leg by a sniper, Private First Class Stegemeyer unhesitatingly went to his aid, when he observed that the sniper was still firing at the fallen man. Before he reached the sergeant however; the sniper him him again. Quickly applying first aid, Private First Class Stegemeyer picked up the sergeant, and though it was over four hundred yards to cover, started up the hill. He had gone but a few yards with his heavy burden, when he was hit in the leg by a sniper. However, he continued carrying the wounded man up the hill until he was hit in the leg again. By this time it was impossible for him to walk so he started crawling across the remaining three hundred yards of open ground. When he stopped to fix the sergeant's tourniquet, the sniper hit him again. Though very weak by now from loss of blood, he kept on with the heavy man only to be struck a fourth time by the sniper, this time through the foot. Despite his painful wounds, Private First Class Stegemeyer finally succeeded in getting the sergeant to safety, and medical care in time to save his life. His intrepid actions reflect credit upon himself and the Armed Forces. (GO 92, 7th Army, 30 March 1946)Webmasters note: This award was presented to PFC Stegemeyer at his home on 7 December 1946.
Eugene B. Reich, Private First Class, K Company, 253rd Infantry Regiment
By direction of the President, the Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to the following individual: EUGENE B. REICH Private First Class 33 662 432, K Company, 253d Infantry Regiment, for extraordinary heroism in action on 12 April 1945, near Lampoldhousen, Germany. When his platoon was cut off by two enemy machine guns and several snipers, Private First Class Reich destroyed the first hostile gun with a grenade, killing two Germans and wounding one. He moved across open ground, to a second machine gun position and annihilated it in a similar manner, killing two more of the enemy. After returning to a defiladed position, he skillfully rescued and evacuated a wounded officer. Private First Class Reich then carried sorely needed ammunition to his platoon across seventy-five yards of fire-swept terrain. His courageous actions enabled his unit to carry on the fire fight and reach its objective. (GO 587, 7th Army, 8 October 1945)
Clifford B. Myrice, Staff Sergeant, F Company, 253d Infantry Regiment
By Direction of the President, the Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to the following individual: CLIFFORD B. MYRICE Staff Sergeant, 35 835 207, Company "F" , 253rd Infantry Regiment, for extraordinary heroism in action on 16 April 1945, in the vicinity of Michelsback, Germany. When his patrol was pinned down in the open by surprise fire from an enemy machine gun and riflemen, Staff Sergeant Myrice drew the enemy fire away from the others by dashing to a ravine on the flank. With his automatic rifleman, he then made his way around the enemy's flank, where he threw two grenades at the machine gun nest. When this failed to dislodge the enemy, he charged the machine gun through a withering hail of bullets and eliminated the position with his rifle and bayonet. By his fearless and inspiring action the dangerous strongpoint was taken and six of the enemy were killed without a casualty to our forces. The exemplary courage, fearless leadership, and devotion to duty displayed by Staff Sergeant Myrice during this action reflect great credit upon himself and is in accord with the finest traditions of the Armed forces. (GO 34, 7th Army 30 Jan 46)
Angelo E. Pilla, Captain, E Company, 253rd Infantry Regiment.
By direction of the President, the Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to ANGELO E. PILLA, Captain, Company E, 253rd Infantry Regiment, for extraordinary heroism in action on 4 April 1945 in the vicinity of Untergriesheim, Germany. When his company was hard pressed by an enemy counter attack, Captain Pilla, by his own forceful action and words of encouragement to his men, saw to it that they held their position and repulsed the attack. When the enemy finally weakened, he personally led a counter attack and succeeded in gaining several hundred yards, turning apparent defeat into a brilliant victory. The exemplary courage, fearless leadership and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Pilla, reflects great credit upon himself and the armed forces. Entered the service from Milford, Mass.(GO 585, 7th Army, 6 Oct 45)
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