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 Technical Sergeant Wendel Bashford Kinder (ASN: 6543902), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with an Infantry Company of the 23d Infantry Division (Americal), in action against enemy forces at Leyte, Philippine Islands, on 2 March 1945. Sergeant Kinder volunteered for a patrol whose mission was to locate a group of enemy riflemen and a machine gun which had inflicted severe casualties on his company. As the patrol advanced, the first scout was wounded by enemy fire and the patrol leader attempting to go to his aid was mortally wounded. Sergeant Kinder, of his own initiative, left cover and moved forward to bring back his wounded comrades. As he reached an open space, an enemy rifleman fired and seriously wounded him in the chest. Stunned for a moment, he dropped to the ground, located the sniper, and shot him. He started forward again but was hit three times in the right hand by an enemy machine gun firing from a distance of twenty-five yards. Unable to use his rifle, he pulled a grenade with his left hand and attempted to pull the pin with his teeth, but was wounded in the left thumb before he could complete the action. Realizing that in his wounded condition he could not help his wounded comrades further, he rejoined the remainder of the patrol, directed the others to the wounded men and then collapsed. Sergeant Kinder ‘s extraordinary heroism and aggressive determination in attempting to rescue his companions despite his own severe wounds were an inspiration to his comrades exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States, reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Army. Great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Army. Great credit upon himself, the Americal Division, and the United States Army.