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 Private First Class James Carl Elling (ASN: 96264695), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 30 March 1945, in the vicinity of Gross Heubach, Germany. When his company was halted on an open plain by blistering automatic and rifle fire, Private First Class Elling dashed forward alone in a reckless assault on the entire enemy force. Sprinting ninety-five yards into the hailstorm of enemy bullets, he knocked out a machine gun and its four-man crew with BAR fire, then charged into a nest of snipers and yanked nine cowering Germans from their foxholes. Finally, he crawled forty yards to strike a German strongpoint, killing or capturing a total of twenty-six enemy infantrymen. Private First Class Elling’s 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 3d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.