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 Sergeant Dale Henry Klakamp (ASN: 6658111), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company A, 7th Engineer Combat Battalion, 5th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in France, on 7 October 1944. On that date, Sergeant Klakamp was placed in charge of the 3d Platoon, Company A, 7th Engineer Battalion, his immediate superiors having become casualties. The Sergeant’s platoon was in support of an infantry battalion assaulting Fort Durant, France. Reduction of the fortification, an intricately-constructed bastion through which ran numerous underground passageways, resulted in fierce battle both above ground and in the tunnels beneath. In one tunnel Sergeant Klakamp’s platoon was situated two-hundred yards from a heavily-barricaded enemy force which directed a constant stream of grenade, rocket and small arms fire on the Sergeant’s platoon. With utter disregard for personal safety, Sergeant Klakamp began the construction of a barricade when others hesitated, and inspired his comrades by his heroic actions to maintain this barrier. The unstinted devotion to duty, courageousness and conspicuous gallantry of Sergeant Klakamp, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.