The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant Thomas Edward Fretwell, Jr. (ASN: 13065301), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 629th Tank Destroyer Battalion (Separate), FIRST U.S. Army, in action against enemy forces on 16 September 1944, in Germany. Abandoning his flaming tank destroyer after it received a direct hit by an enemy 88-mm. shell, Sergeant Fretwell, upon observing that two companions did not escape, returned to the burning tank destroyer. Disdaining intense machine gun fire and with utter disregard for his own safety, he climbed upon the turret and was killed in a daring attempt to extricate the trapped crew members. Sergeant Fretwell’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.