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 Private First Class Anthony F. Grotto (ASN: 32912794), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 182d Infantry Regiment, 23d Infantry Division (Americal), in action against enemy forces in Cebu, Philippine Islands, on 30 March 1945. When the advance of Company E up the enemy-held ridge which dominated the Lahug airstrip was halted by intense 20-mm. cannon and machine gun fire, Private Grotto, a flame thrower operator, volunteered to attack the defensive pillboxes. With one assistant and followed by supporting riflemen, he crawled forward in the face of withering fire and eliminated the first pillbox. Fire from other enemy positions then increased in violence, several men were seriously wounded and the group was forced to abandon them and withdraw. Though the entire attacking force was by now virtually pinned down, Private Grotto calmly assembled a re-fueled flame thrower unit and signaled the riflemen to follow. He began again the dangerous ascent against enemy fire. Moving quickly over the last ten open yards of the approach, he delivered a long burst of flame directly across the Japanese emplacements. The enemy fire ceased and the two wounded men, left behind in the first assault, were rescued. Through his steadfast and sustained heroism in the face of grave and obvious danger, Private Grotto not only saved his wounded comrades from death, but also opened the way to the capture of his unit’s objective. His 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 Americal Division, and the United States Army.