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 Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Lewis Edward Maness, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 2d Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 3 and 4 April 1945, in Germany. When the assault platoon of his battalion was pinned down while clearing a town, Colonel Maness charged directly into an enemy machine gun emplacement, eliminating the weapon and its crew. He then contacted one of his companies that was held up by hostile fire, led it around the enemy’s flank and aided in annihilating another group of Germans. When the enemy reorganized and launched a determined counterattack, Colonel Maness ordered his men into cellars, moved to the second floor of a building and directed artillery fire which routed the attackers and caused many casualties. The superb leadership and courage demonstrated by Colonel Maness, which secured his battalion’s objective, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.