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 First Lieutenant (Cavalry) Andrew L. Bundermann, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States while serving as the Acting Commander of Troop B, 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, on 3 October 2009 in Afghanistan. On this date, Combat Outpost Keating and Observation Post Fritsche came under a complex and sizeable enemy attack which breached the outpost’s perimeter. Understanding the extreme necessity for external communication to coordinate air support and casualty evacuation, First Lieutenant Bundermann worked with two of his soldiers to set up the only remaining communications platform. Once communication was reestablished, he immediately coordinated with the tactical operations center for direct fire support. As the squadron’s supporting artillery was at its maximum range and could not adequately engage targets near Observation Post Fritsche, First Lieutenant Bundermann directed the mortar teams on COP Keating to begin engaging targets at the nearby observation post, allowing the squadron’s supporting artillery to effectively engage enemy targets at the combat outpost. As the battle waged on, it became clear to him that the enemy was engaging the combat outpost from a nearby village and had captured the Afghan National Police station. First Lieutenant Bundermann effectively directed his troops indirect fire assets and air support fire on the village neutralizing a key strategic enemy position. Realizing his soldiers were distributed in extended outer positions and the enemy had control of several positions in the combat outpost, he reallocated his forces and made the tactical decision to focus the attack on enemy forces within the perimeter. Having redirected his forces, he led a bold counterattack which cleared the enemy from several critical positions and ultimately led to a successful defense of COP Keating. First Lieutenant Bundermann’s actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 61st Cavalry Regiment, and the United States Army.