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 Private First Class Winfred B. Branch (ASN: 33210403), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 11 July 1943, near ***, Sicily. When heavy enemy fire from a strong gun position had resulted in six casualties to his platoon, Private First Class Branch, upon his own initiative and with utter disregard for his own life, took up a position directly in front of his squad and opened fire on the enemy with his automatic rifle. He continued his fire for 30 minutes despite the fact that his position offer ed no natural cover, and did not crease until his squad had withdrawn to safety and evacuated the wounded. These actions resulted in the knocking out of the enemy automatic rifle, the saving of his squad leader’s life and safety for his squad. Though killed in a subsequent action Private First Class Branch’s supreme devotion to duty in the face of death was an inspiration to his comrades and reflects the highest traditions of the military service.