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 Max J. Romero (ASN: 37364664), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, in action against enemy forces near the Villa Verde Trail, Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 20 March 1945. Private First Class Romero’s company launched an attack against a group of Japanese entrenched on a hill in well-hidden pillboxes, bunkers, and connected caves. The steep hill gave little protection for the advancing Infantrymen and a machine gun from a concealed pillbox wounded a member of them. Spotting the pillbox, Private First Class Romero began working his way toward it and Japanese snipers turned heavy fire on him. Disregarding the danger, he crawled to within 15 yards of the emplacement and hurled four grenades but, forced to throw from a position flat on the ground, he was unable to hit the narrow gun slit. The concealed Japanese hurled grenades at him, but Private First Class Romero held his ground. Exposed as he was, he called for supporting machine gun fire from his unit and by hand signals put it on the target. He waited while bullets from both sides flew over him, until the Japanese were forced to cease fire. Then he charged the pillbox and with a grenade, killed some of the enemy soldiers and drove the remainder into the open. Inspired by Private First Class Romero’s example, the company completed the assault and captured the hill. Private First Class Romero’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 and the United States Army.