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 Staff Sergeant William Bernice Humphrey (ASN: 35482997), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 319th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division. On 14 September 1944, Company E, 2d Battalion, 319th Infantry, with which Sergeant Humphrey was serving as a platoon guide, was assigned the mission of expelling an estimated enemy force of 200 men from a heavily fortified position near Pompey, France. As the attack progressed, the platoon to which Sergeant Humphrey was assigned advanced to within fifty yards of the enemy position where they were caught in a withering machine gun and rifle cross-fire which inflicted heavy casualties and momentarily disorganized the platoon. Sergeant Humphrey, displaying outstanding leadership, reorganized the remainder of the platoon, and with complete disregard for his own safety, heroically led his men forward into the raking fire. His supreme courage inspired his men to overrun and destroy the enemy positions, killing and routing the overwhelmingly superior enemy forces. Sergeant Humphrey, by the skillful use of his bayonet and total of seventeen hand grenades, personally destroyed five enemy machine gun positions and their occupants. The inspiring leadership and conspicuous bravery of Sergeant Humphrey, his bold, courageous determination, and zealous devotion to duty, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States.