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 Welton Conroy Westfall, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as an Infantry machinegun section leader with Company F, 2d Battalion, 362d Infantry Regiment, 91st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces near Gagliano, Italy, on 16 September 1944. On the night of 16 September 1944, Staff Sergeant Westfall’s rifle company was in the midst of a concerted attack on strong enemy positions. Just before daylight the weapons platoon and an attached machinegun section lost contact with the company. Almost immediately after the loss of contact the weapons platoon was subjected to terrific pummeling by enemy machine guns and automatic weapons. During this avalanche of blistering fire, the weapons platoon leader became a casualty. Immediately and without hesitation, Staff Sergeant Westfall took command. He speedily reorganized the platoon and the attached machine gun section and led the men to a covered position where they withstood the enemy fire with reduced casualties, and made a concentrated and successful attempt to regain contact with the company. This accomplished, he directed the platoon action against two determined German counterattacks, repulsing both. During each enemy assault, Staff Sergeant Westfall moved from one gun position to another, adjusting fire and encouraging his men. Though at least six times bullets whistled within a foot of him, he paid no heed to them and kept right on with his magnificent handling of the platoon at times when the situation appeared most desperate. Later in the day, as the advance of the American Infantry progressed, several men on the flank, unknowingly entered a heavily-mined field and were wounded by exploding mines. Staff Sergeant Westfall acted quickly, entered the field, personally brought out some of the wounded men, and guided litter bearers safely into the mine field so they could evacuate the others. He then continued forward, encouraging his platoon and leading it to its objective. He had advanced only a short distance when he was confronted by three heavily-armed Germans. He killed all three with a burst of his submachine gun. Largely as a result of Staff Sergeant Westfall’s initiative and leadership, the platoon suffered only a minimum number of casualties and advanced successful. Staff Sergeant Westfall’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 91st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.