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 Hugh Pershing Lockhart (ASN: 38098588), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company B, 315th Engineer Combat Battalion, 90th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in Germany, on 6 February 1945. On that date, during an attack against strongly defended Siegfried Line emplacement near Brandscheid, Germany, Sergeant Lockhart volunteered to breach a strategic pillbox which was surrounded by entrenched enemy soldiers. Carrying an explosive charge he fearlessly advanced toward his objective two hundred yards distant, braving hand grenades and a hail of small arms fire concentrated against him. Gaining a trench he worked his way down it for a few yards. Then, carefully noting his position he dashed through withering fire to the pillbox, placed his charge against the steel door and ran back to the trench. A few seconds later the charge exploded, blowing open the door; and before the smoke had cleared the Sergeant rushed to the opening, hurled a hand grenade inside and followed in to take prisoner fourteen of the enemy. Sergeant Lockhart’s heroic action made possible the advance of the infantry to seize its objective. His fearless determination and courageous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.