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 Robert Hiroshi Yasutake (ASN: 30105956), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company C, 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate), attached to the 34th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 2 June 1944, near Lanuvio. Private First Class Yasutake served as automatic rifleman for his squad during an attack. When his squad and the unit to his right became pinned down by heavy fire, he crawled to a position from which he opened fire and neutralized a hostile machine gun nest. Sensing an enemy machine gun fire coming from a deep gully, Private First Class Yasutake moved to the edge of the ravine, located the enemy position, and engaged the hostile crew with his automatic rifle and grenades, wounding seven Germans. As the fighting continued, his platoon encountered a series of enemy dugouts. Private First Class Yasutake, taking a position in one of the captured dugouts, engaged an enemy dugout fifteen yards from his own. The enemy threw hand grenades at him and attempted to infiltrate his position. Aware of the danger of being surrounded, he remained on the alert and killed a German who attempted to crawl toward him through a grape vineyard. Later, he spotted three Germans advancing in an attempt to isolate him from his platoon. When the Germans were within twenty yards of his dugout, he opened fire with his automatic rifle, killing them. Private First Class Yasutake’s heroic and determined stand made it possible for his platoon to come abreast of him and continue the attack. 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, the 34th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.