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) Robert Thomas Heflin, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 133d Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces near San Pietro, Italy, on 4 and 5 December 1943. Second Lieutenant Heflin’s company was in a defensive position on the slopes of Mount Carveyinalle, where he was assigned to lead a seven-man patrol into German-held territory to determine the location of the enemy main line of resistance in the vicinity of San Pietro. He moved to a position on the road leading into San Pietro, well inside the German lines. Under cover of darkness, the then led his patrol across the road and up the slopes to his front for 300 yards. The patrol was forced to take cover because of enemy flares, and then the patrol moved forward again, they encountered Germans who hurled hand grenades which laded amid Lieutenant Heflin’s men. Four enemy machine guns, two on each flank, opened fire. Lieutenant Heflin crawled back to his second in command, ordering a withdrawal of the patrol to reorganize. Waiting until his men were able to withdraw, he then started to crawl back to his former position where he was fired upon by the enemy and was forced to take cover. The patrol, believing that Lieutenant Heflin was killed, then returned to their company. Having remained in position until things quieted down, however, Lieutenant Heflin crawled back to locate his patrol Unable to locate them, he continued on his mission alone. While the enemy was searching for him, he crawled to the flank of the machine gun position and advanced to within 400 yards of San Pietro. Carefully observing enemy replacements and troop dispositions, he began his movement to his own lines, making his way through the enemy’s final protective line, past emplacements no more than 30 yards apart. En route, he observed a group of Germans and, crawling toward them, he reached a position from which he threw a hand grenade into the midst of the enemy. In spite of being subjected to machine gun fire, he was able to return to his company. Lieutenant Heflin obtained the information of the enemy’s main line of resistance and located targets for artillery fire. As a consequence, American Infantry troops were able to make a successful attack. Second Lieutenant Heflin’s 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 and the United States Army.