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 Private First Class John A. Kostrisak (ASN: 1342929), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in Italy, on 18 February 1944. At 0800 hours, Private First Class Kostrisak and the rest of Company E, found themselves exposed and pinned down by intense machine gun fire, near Padiglione, Italy. Gathering his rifle and grenade launcher, Private First Class Kostrisak sprinted 125 yards towards the enemy’s protected machine gun nest. He got into position on one knee and quickly fired off three grenades, wounding the two enemy soldiers in the nest, who subsequently surrendered. Advancing on their position once again, Company E marched right into another conflagration, which stopped them in their tracks. This time, the assault came from several dozen enemy soldiers using heavy machine gun fire and rifles. While casualties mounted around him, Private First Class Kostrisak moved into a kneeling position and fired rifle grenades into the well protected enemy position. He took out the machine gun, killed four soldiers and caused the surrender of two dozen others. Company E was now headed towards a wooded area when it was hit with a barrage of artillery fire from a Mark IV Tank, firing from its 77 millimeter gun and machine guns. Company E’s Commander was killed. As many of his fellow soldiers lay dying and wounded, Private First Class Kostrisak charged 300 yards toward the Tank. He fired on the armored vehicle, hitting it twice, forcing its crew to abandon the crippled Tank in the nearby woods. Private First Class Kostrisak’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 3d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.