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) Emil W. Jarosz (ASN: 0-1690797), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in Bancal, Mindanao, Philippine Islands, on 9 May 1945. Lieutenant Jarosz, Platoon Leader in Company A, was directed to neutralize enemy resistance on the battalion flank. A series of six pillboxes, which provided interlocking fire, were blocking the advance of his platoon; creeping forward to reconnoiter, he drew enemy fire from one of the pillboxes. Discovering the source of fire to be a large pillbox with slits on three sides, he ordered two of his squads to sustain fire on two sides of the emplacement and with the remaining squad, he approached through a draw to within fifty yards of the position. Ordering the two squads to cease fire and obtaining covering fire from a third, he charged the position alone and hurled two well aimed grenades into the aperture, killing five Japanese soldiers and destroying their machine gun. Advancing on an adjacent position, he killed two more of the enemy with another skillfully thrown grenade. Lieutenant Jarosz’s heroic action in the face of grave danger and his spectacular example of battlefield leadership cracked the enemy defenses and paved the way for his battalion’s successful advance. Second Lieutenant Jarosz’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 24th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.