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 Nolan LaVern Powell (ASN: 32835212), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving the 3d Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 517th Parachute Infantry Regimental Combat Team, 13th Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces on 18 June 1944, near Grosetto, Italy. In executing an attack on strongly fortified enemy positions, Private Powell’s company found itself deployed by platoons along the military crest of a ridge, and receiving heavy small arms and mortar fire from the foot of the hill. Private Powell, accompanied by a Sergeant, voluntarily moved forward into enemy resistance two hundred yards ahead of his platoon, captured five Germans who were part of a mortar crew, silenced a machine gun, and returned to the lines with the prisoners. Though momentarily pinned down by machine gun fire, Private Powell and the Sergeant moved into enemy territory again and, on nearing the lines, ordered the enemy to surrender. The prisoners came out of the brush and were taken to the American lines. Once more Private Powell and the Sergeant penetrated the enemy lines, withdrawing when friendly artillery fire made their positions untenable, with an additional four prisoners. By his courageous acts, Private Powell made possible the capture of nineteen German prisoners, the killing and wounding of ten more. Private First Class Powell’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous 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.