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 Staff Sergeant Ernest Willie Hosea, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at Sigolsheim, France, on 26 December 1944. At 0600 hours on 26 December 1944, Sergeant Hosea left the cover of a ditch and ran 50 yards through furious crossfire to destroy one of three machine guns which had halted his company. Although enemy fire clipped the brush all around him, he charged into the first emplacement, killing the gunner and wounding the three remaining enemy with M-1 fire. Disregarding exploding hand grenades, Sergeant Hosea engaged a second machine gun twenty-five yards way, killed the gunner, and forced the surrender of the crew. His 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 3d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.