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 Anton Kresta, Jr. (ASN: 38454909), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 145th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at Binuangan River, Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 12 February 1945. Private Kresta, an automatic rifleman, crossed the Binuangan River, under heavy enemy fire, in the leading assault boat of the attack made by Company F, 145th Infantry. As he debarked on the far bank of the river, a heavy concentration of enemy mortar fire began falling on the beachhead area. Private Kresta volunteered to attempt to put the mortars out of action and crawled along a dike between fishponds to a position which afforded clear observation of the enemy, though itself, completely exposed. Under heavy enemy rifle and machine gun fire, he succeeded in killing or routing all the Japanese manning the mortars, He was severely wounded during this action and died shortly afterward, but through his gallant and supreme sacrifice, he made possible a successful crossing of the river by his comrades-at-arms. Private First Class Kresta’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 37th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.