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 First Lieutenant (Corps of Engineers) William C. Kellogg (ASN: 0-446618), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company C, 307th Airborne Engineer Battalion, 82d Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces from 15 September 1943 to 28 September 1943, between Paternapoli and Montello, Italy. As leader of an airborne platoon, Lieutenant Kellogg landed with his men forty miles behind enemy lines and for a period of thirteen consecutive days, in the face constant danger and overwhelming enemy odds, courageously conducted outstandingly successful operations in enemy territory. During this period, Lieutenant Kellogg personally led his men in disrupting telephone, power and railroad lines, and demonstrated outstanding bravery and aggressiveness in his constant harassing of the enemy. In one night’s action against superior enemy forces, Lieutenant Kellogg gallantly led his band in the ambush of an enemy convoy, destroying two troop carriers and inflicting many casualties on the enemy. On 24 September he demonstrated personal heroism of the highest type in rescuing a severely wounded Allied airman whose plane was shot down behind enemy lines. In close proximity to the enemy and under intense aerial bombardment and a hail of fire from enemy guns, Lieutenant Kellogg, with utter disregard for his own life, made his way to the wounded man on an open hillside, carried him to cover, and succeeded in delivering him to friendly hands. Lieutenant Kellogg’s outstanding personal valor, his inspirational leadership despite hunger, thirst, fatigue, and constant danger, and his exceptional devotion to duty no matter what the odds exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 82d Airborne Division, and the United States Army.