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 Carl John Kistel (ASN: 36730159), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 343d Infantry Regiment, 86th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in Germany, on 26 April 1945. On that date, in Dosseln, Germany, Private Kistel’s company was forced to seek shelter from a devastating enemy artillery barrage. Realizing they were cut off from communication with the battalion, he fearlessly left cover and with utter disregard for his own safety set up his radio in the middle of the shell-swept street. A German shell exploded within five yards of his position, wounding him so seriously that he later lost both feet, but with unflinching heroism he crawled back to his radio, received orders from the battalion and relayed them to his Company Commander. Private Kistel’s extreme gallantry and unswerving devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.