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 Technician Fifth Grade Leo Rosskamm, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as a Medical Aidman with the 1st Battalion, 106th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 19, 20, and 28 April 1945, at Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Islands. On 19 April 1945, elements of the company to which Technician Fifth Grade Rosskamm was attached were advancing in an attack when fired on by an enemy machine gun. The fire wounded one demolition man after he had almost reached a gun position located in a cave dug into a ridge. Evacuation of the wounded man appeared impossible; however, Technician Rosskamm advanced by crawling under seemingly deadly enemy fire toward the wounded soldier. When the intensity of the enemy fire halted his advance, he called for a flame thrower, under cover of which he continued to advance and rescued the wounded man. Again, on 20 April 1945, during an attack by his unit, a sergeant was seriously wounded and lay writhing in pain on the open trail, exposed to the enemy weapon that wounded him. Technician Rosskamm, disregarding the hostile fire, advanced to the wounded man and succeeded in administering aid, protecting the wounded man with his body. In the evening of the same day, several Japanese infiltrated into his unit’s area and wounded several men. He immediately bounded out of his foxhole and proceeded to treat the wounded men. In the meantime, two armed Japanese approached. Technician Rosskamm, in self defense, grasped the wounded soldier’s rifle and quickly killed the Japanese, after which he methodically returned to the administration of first aid. On 28 April, an adjacent unit suffered several casualties from heavy machine gun and mortar fire. Since no aid man was available, Technician Rosskamm responded without orders to the care of the wounded. In evacuating one, he was shot through the helmet, knocking him down. Disregarding personal harm, he regained his feet, and while still under fire carried the wounded man to safety. He returned to the area for other casualties and while administering aid, was shot through the neck. He temporarily halted his heroic efforts only for sufficient time to dress his own wound, and then, although bleeding profusely, continued to care for others. He was asked to leave the field and refused, saying that others were worse off than he and required his attention. The severity of his wounds was noted by an officer who demanded that the soldier leave the battle field. With great reluctance, he left the field. The intrepidity and extraordinary heroism displayed by Technician Fifth Grade Rosskamm was a source of deep inspiration to all who witnessed his acts. His 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.