(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Private First Class John Kozej (ASN: 33056285), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces near Carano, Italy, on 26 May 1944. Locating an enemy machine gun nest 20 yards to his front, Private First Class Kozej advanced fearlessly through heavy fire, delivering accurate fire with his sub-machine gun, killing three members of the gun crew and disabling the enemy gun. As he attacked the nest, snipers firing at him wounded him in the right leg. Despite his wounds, he rose and charged a second machine gun position. He was killed while thus trying to remove this second major obstacle to his platoon’s advance. Private First Class Kozej’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 45th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.