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 William Piper (ASN: 31349567), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 133d Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 13 September 1944, near Margherita, Italy. Private Piper volunteered to lead a five-man combat patrol to seize enemy positions atop a steep hill. After leading the patrol to the objective, Private Piper came fact to face with a German who immediately opened fire on him. Returning fire, Private Piper wounded the German who dropped his rifle and fled. When two other Germans threw hand grenades at him, Private Piper retaliated by throwing one of his own to kill both Germans. A fourth enemy soldier fired at him with a machine gun, but private Piper, returning fire with his M-1 rifle at close range, took the German prisoner. As these two enemy soldiers fled, Private Piper hurled an enemy grenade and fired at them with their abandoned machine gun, wounding the other. Single-handedly, Private Piper had killed two, wounded three and captured one German; secured the objective and captured considerable enemy arms and ammunition. His aggressive spirit and fearless leadership reflect the finest traditions of the American Infantryman.