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 Technical Sergeant Harold W. Deitrick (ASN: 33238133), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Cannon Company, 145th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, at Manila, Philippine Islands, on 25 February 1945. During the last stages of the battle for Manila, a group of probably sixty enemy soldiers, armed with machine guns, mortars, and small arms, made a fanatical stand in a concrete building in the Intramuros District. Sergeant Deitrick, a Section Chief of an Infantry Cannon Company, led a group of howitzers to bring fire to bear on this strong point. Driving a self-propelled howitzer through heavily mined streets, he took a position exposed to direct enemy fire and supervised the delivery of eighty-six rounds into the enemy fortress. During this time, the machine gun mounted on his vehicle was destroyed by enemy fire. Shortly afterward enemy mortar fire struck the vehicle, seriously stunned two crew members and shocked the others. Sergeant Deitrick gave first aid to the casualties and continued single-handed to place effective fire on the enemy. Relieved by another howitzer, he was turning the vehicle to leave when it struck a hidden mine. Although it was damaged and the crew badly shaken again, he succeeded in returning to the ammunition dump. Reloading with more ammunition, he returned through the mined streets to the firing position. Exposed to enemy fire, deprived of maneuverability, and with several of his crew missing, he continued to fire the howitzer against the enemy strong point until it was captured by foot troops. Through his outstanding heroism and determination in the face of grave and certain danger, Sergeant Deitrick released other vehicles for fire missions and materially aided in the successful elimination of the last enemy bastion in Intramuros. His extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 37th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.