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 Colonel Georges Emile LeBlanc, Army of France, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy at Marseilles, France, during August 1944. Immediately on landing in southern France, Colonel LeBlanc led his group by forced marches to positions north of Marseilles. He threw himself into combat at the head of his men on 20 August 1944 and, after 2 days of bitter fighting against a fanatical defense, succeeded in capturing the key position of Cadolive. Despite heavy casualties and heedless of personal danger, Colonel LeBlanc pressed on to the conquest of other strongly fortified positions. After inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy, Colonel LeBlanc obliged the enemy sector commander to capitulate, capturing 8,402 prisoners and a considerable quantity of enemy materiel. The gallant leadership and unselfish devotion to duty displayed by Colonel LeBlanc reflect highest credit upon himself and the Allied Forces.