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 Loyd George Zehner (ASN: 35709883), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 357th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in France, on 29 September 1944. On that date, Private First Class Zehner was leading a ten-man patrol on a night reconnaissance in the vicinity of Richemont, France. While crossing a narrow foot bridge across a canal, well ahead of his patrol, he was challenged by a sentry in an enemy outpost on the far side. Though realizing that his actions would draw enemy fire, Private First Class Zehner opened fire with his automatic rifle and charged furiously across the bridge directly toward the enemy. The enemy immediately opened fire with a machine-gun and rifles. Private First Class Zehner, after expending his magazine of ammunition, plunged into the enemy position and violently wrested the machine-gun from the bewildered gunner. He then silenced enemy small arms fire by throwing two grenades into a nearby house, reloaded his automatic rifle and killed the fleeing machine-gunner. Private First Class Zehner’s outstanding heroism; his courageous determination and zealous devotion to duty, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 90th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.