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 Second Lieutenant (Chemical Corps) Louis Albert Staff, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company B, 95th Chemical Mortar Battalion, Chemical Warfare Service, in action against enemy forces from 7 to 9 April 1945, in Germany. Lieutenant Staff, while serving as a Forward Observer for a platoon of chemical mortars with the loading assault elements, came under heavy enemy cross-fire, Lieutenant Staff and his party were pinned down for hours by heavy enemy fire. Under cover of darkness, Lieutenant Staff evacuated his men into a nearby woods where he evaded enemy patrols all night. The following morning, he succeeded in reestablishing radio contact with the supporting artillery and, at great personal risk, adjusted artillery fire on vital enemy emplacements and troop concentrations. By skillful and daring maneuvering, Lieutenant Staff succeeded in bringing his men back through the enemy lines and captured numerous prisoners on the way. His indomitable courage, gallantry, stamina, and loyal 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.