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 Major (Infantry) Leon D. Gladding (ASN: 0-406918), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, 104th Infantry Regiment, 26th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces near Achen, France, on 8 December 1944. On that date, the 1st Battalion, 104th Infantry Regiment seized a series of Maginot Line forces near Achen, Lorraine, France. One fort remained firmly held by the enemy, and from it fire was being directed against the left flank of the battalion, preventing consolidation of the ground gained. Major Gladding, in an effort to reduce the fort, organized a small assault group, armed himself with a sub-machine gun, and personally led the men within two hundred yards of the enemy position. Then, while members of the group directed machine gun and rocket fire against the embrasures of the fort, Major Gladding led four men through a barbed wire obstacle to assault the fort itself. Standing in full view of the enemy he demanded that the occupants surrender. Receiving no answer, he threw a phosphorous grenade into one of the bunkers and courageously closed in on an adjoining bunker alone, firing his sub-machine gun as he advanced. By the time he reached the bunker a white flag had appeared. Nineteen enemy enlisted men and one officer were thus taken prisoners and the threat of the fort removed. Major Gladding’s heroic, inspiring leadership, courage, and loyal devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 26th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.