The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Captain (Infantry) Thomas C. Shields (ASN: 0-25128), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer of an Infantry Company of the 22d Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at Normandy, France, on 8 June 1944. Realizing the plight of his company, which was being subjected to heavy enemy artillery, machine gun and small arms fire, Captain Shields rushed to the rear element to find his forward observer for the Cannon Company. Upon contacting the forward observer, Captain Shields refused to permit him to go forward to direct the fire. He then personally went forward to an exposed position in full view of the hostile artillery and machine gunners. Here he coolly directed and controlled the fire of friendly artillery until mortally wounded by an enemy shell. After being assisted back to his company, Captain Shields refused medical aid and asked to be put in a position so that he might supervise the successful withdrawal of his command and instruct them as to the proper position from which to repel the counter-attack. As the enemy gradually approached, his last thoughts were for the welfare of his men. He then ordered his men to abandon him and retire to a place of safety. The matchless bravery and devotion with which Captain Shields knowingly and unhesitatingly sacrificed his life for his men are an inspiration to the entire command, and his conduct was in accordance with the highest traditions of the United States Army.