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 Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery) Donald Vivian Bennett (ASN: 0-23001), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer of the 62d Field Artillery Battalion, 4th Armored Division, in action against enemy forces on 6 June 1944, in France. When Lieutenant Colonel Bennett landed with the second wave at 0720 on D-Day, his party was subjected to a tremendous volume of machine gun fire which inflicted 50 per cent casualties before they reached the comparative safety of the shingle at the base of the cliff adjoining the beach. Observing that following units were pinned down on the beach, he immediately left his cover and moved about the beach under heavy fire in order to assemble and reorganize the infantry assault companies, four tanks and an anti-aircraft unit. By redistributing the remaining officers and equipment; by emplacing the .50 caliber machine guns of the anti-aircraft unit so as to give close support from the LCT’s, he organized a sizeable force and at about 1000 hours successfully assaulted the ridge. He then continued moving about the beach under intense fire and succeeded in locating a protected place to bring in his battalion and move it across the beach. Lieutenant Colonel Bennett, in disregarding his own safety under such heavy enemy fire throughout the day and in his clear thinking, contributed immeasurably to the establishment of the beachhead. His inspiring leadership, 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.