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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Claude Joseph Hafner (ASN: 0-554721), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 276th Infantry Regiment, 70th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 6 February 1945, in France. On the night of 6 February 1945, Lieutenant Hafner’s Company was pinned down by intense machine-gun, rifle and grenade fire during an attack near Oetingen, France. Armed with a rocket launcher Lieutenant Hafner fearlessly led two men against the enemy positions and forced the surrender of three Germans in the nearest emplacement. He then moved a squad forward and cleared two connecting dugouts, taking six more prisoners. At daylight he again distinguished himself by leading four men against by-passed positions, killing one of the defenders, bayoneting another and capturing seven prisoners. Lieutenant Hafner’s heroic leadership and his inspiring, courageous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 70th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.