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 Technician Fifth Grade Charles Dave Cunningham, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company B, 25th Armored Engineer Combat Battalion, 6th Armored Division, in action against enemy forces on 11 November 1944, in France. When the 6th Armored Division captured, intact, the bridge across the Neid Francaise River at Han-Sur-Neid, France, Technician Fifth Grade Cunningham, Company B, 25th Armored Engineer Combat Battalion, was assigned the mission of assisting his platoon leader in searching for mines on the bridge and cutting the wires the enemy had strung to demolition charges. Working fearlessly under intense enemy machine-gun, artillery and small arms fire, Technician Fifth Grade Cunningham had succeeded in cutting the wires at the rear end of the bridge when he noticed that his platoon leader, who had crossed to the far side, had fallen, wounded. Disregarding the intense enemy fire, Technician Fifth Grade Cunningham courageously crossed the bridge and returned, carrying the wounded platoon leader. His gallant action, above and beyond the call of duty, and his indomitable courage exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 6th Armored Division, and the United States Army.