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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Harry B. Colburn (ASN: 0-5344287), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 8 February 1945, near Weilerbach, Germany. On that date, Lieutenant Colburn was leading an assault platoon to spearhead a regimental attack on the Siegfried Line. Under enemy machine-gun and artillery fire which blanketed the area, he successfully held his platoon together as it made a rubber-boat crossing of the swollen Sauer River. Organizing his defense on the other side, he saw enemy machine-gun fire, from a pillbox on his flank, inflict heavy losses on the platoon following his across the river. Immediately he determined to neutralize the enemy strong point and was joined by several volunteers for the attack. Running across wide-open terrain in the face of withering machine-gun fire, he and several of the men gained positions near the pillbox. While two men covered him with rifle fire he suddenly rushed the door, forcing the enemy back into an inner room. With a demolition charge, he started through the opening, but as he entered, the hidden enemy again opened fire, mortally wounding him. Lieutenant Colburn, by his fearless charge, enabled the men to surround the pillbox and force its surrender. Through his supreme sacrifice, he enabled the other elements of the regiment to cross the river and enlarge the important bridgehead. First Lieutenant Colburn’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 5th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.