The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant William E. Lehman (ASN: 33763999), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 274th Infantry Regiment, 70th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 18 February 1945, in the vicinity of Behren, France. Sergeant Lehman dived on his own grenade, the pin of which had been pulled accidentally, to smother the fragmentation with his body and save the lives of five soldiers who were with him. Receiving the full brunt of the concussion and burst of the grenade, which he covered with his body, he suffered instant death. Staff Sergeant Lehman’s intrepid action, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 70th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.