The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant Frank Hernandez (ASN: 39291238), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at San Felipe, Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 23 January 1945. Sergeant Hernandez, an assistant squad leader, commanded the lead vehicle of a motorized patrol moving from Zaragoza to San Felipe. Informed that twenty enemy soldiers were in a house in San Felipe, he left the main body of the patrol a short distance from the town and moved forward in his vehicle with the driver, a native guide and a rifleman. Discovering an enemy soldier in the shadows near a house, he opened fire with the machine gun mounted on his vehicle and killed him as he tried to take cover. The enemy force inside the house then opened fire on the vehicle, and the driver and the other two men took cover. Under heavy fire, Sergeant Hernandez remained at his position and operated his machine gun, forcing the enemy to cease firing. He then organized his companions to protect the rear and, securing a rocket launcher, moved forward into the open yard. Though the enemy again opened heavy fire, he knelt in the open, took careful aid and launched rockets into the house until all twenty of the enemy were destroyed. Several days later, while leading his men against the enemy in Manila, he was killed by an enemy mortar shell. Sergeant Hernandez, through his heroism and gallant leadership under fire, made an outstanding contribution to the successful occupation of San Felipe. Sergeant Hernandez’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, the 37th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.