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 Sergeant [then Private First Class] Walter E. Halley (ASN: 33667626), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 7 October 1944, near Vagney, France. When his company was temporarily halted by a chain of automatic fire from strong enemy positions, Sergeant Halley voluntarily advanced eighty yards through blistering machine gun cross fire to kill a two-man machine gun crew with hand grenades. He shot two support riflemen as they fled into the woods, then crawled fifteen yards toward the remaining machine gun, jumped to his feet and silenced it with Tommy Gun fire. His fearless assault destroyed both machine guns, killed five and wounded one of the enemy and disintegrated German resistance in that attack. Sergeant Halley’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.