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 Lieutenant Claude G. Arnault, Army of France, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while attached to the United States Office of Strategic Services, European Theater of Operations, in action against enemy forces at Toulouse, France, on 8 April 1944. Lieutenant Arnault distinguished himself by his exceptional coolness, ingenuity and brilliant performance of duty. Asked to sabotage the Eapalet Powder Factory at Toulouse, France, he worked for an hour in the heavily guarded factory building, setting his demolition charges on the irreplaceable American motors and on other key points of the powder mixing machinery. Despite the fact that the first time the fuses set off its charge before he was ready to leave, he succeeded in escaping from the guards. Lieutenant Arnault’s bold and unselfish devotion to duty, contributed immeasurably to the success of military operations in Southern France, reflecting the highest credit upon him and the Allied Armed Forces.