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 Theodore T. Wilk (ASN: 31272097), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at Normandy, France, on 6 June 1944. On D-Day, Private First Class Wilk voluntarily left his position of safety and advanced boldly to a position from which he placed well-aimed fire upon an enemy pillbox. With utter disregard for his safety, he crawled closer through intense automatic weapons and small arms fire and, while delivering accurate fire which silenced the enemy, he was seriously wounded by sniper fire. Despite his wounds, he refused medical aid and pushed inland with his comrades. When his unit was halted by direct fire of a well dug-in machine gun, Private First Class Wilk courageously moved through a hail of fire to get within hand grenade range of the weapon. En route to the gun position, he was caught in a heavy artillery barrage which blinded him and inflicted additional wounds. By his unflinching devotion to duty, his Spartan effort and his personal bravery, Private First Class Wilk exemplified the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.