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 Norman A. Welling (ASN: 33694074), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 129th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 1 February 1945. Private First Class Welling’s platoon had taken part of the hill in the Fort Stotsenburg area of Luzon. Vegetation on the steep slope had been burned, leaving occasional patches of nipa grass as the only concealment. The platoon held the ground gained throughout the night and resumed the advance up the hill at daybreak. Private First Class Welling was with the forward element which spotted a Japanese machinegun emplacement near the crest of the hill, 200 yards ahead. The infantry advance was halted temporarily while artillery and mortar fire was placed on the enemy position. Suddenly, another enemy machinegun, at shorter range and to the left of the Americans, opened fire. An officer and three men from another company were instantly killed, and several men in Private First Class Welling’s company, including his squad leader, were wounded. Looking around him, Private First Class Welling could see only dead and wounded comrades. He rose to his feet and walked straight toward the enemy pillbox while the enemy poured deadly fire in his direction. Private First Class Welling stopped 75 yards from the enemy emplacement and poured Browning Automatic Rifle fire into the pillbox until the enemy fire gradually diminished, and then stopped. Alone in his exposed position for ten minutes, Private First Class Welling kept up his fire until the remainder of his squad could work into positions from which they also could fire on the pillbox. When the Japanese attempted to evacuate the pillbox, five were cut down by rifle and BAR fire as they ran. Later, as the platoon prepared to continue its advance, Private First Class Welling was wounded by mortar fire which fell in the area. Private First Class Welling’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 37th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.