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 Technician Fifth Grade Norman H. MacLennan (ASN: 31068764), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Cannon Company, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in North Africa, on 9 November 1942. Technician Fifth Grade MacLennan, after driving his self-propelled assault gun through the town of St. Cloud and while returning to rejoin the attacking battalion, sustained an injury when his vehicle was hit by direct fire from an enemy 75-mm. gun, forcing the vehicle out of control and causing it to crash against a concrete wall. He received a fractured hip in this crash, but managed to crawl from his vehicle. As he left the mount, while under enemy fire, he threw a lighted match into the wreckage, with utter disregard safety, thereby setting the vehicle on fire and preventing the enemy from using the armament with its normal load of ammunition. He, with his clothing on fire, was then dragged away by members of his section to the security of the building where they were rescued one day later when St. Cloud fell. Technician Fifth Grade MacLennan’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 4th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.