The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Captain (Corps of Engineers) Arnold J. Cissna (ASN: 0-1100486), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company C, 249th Engineer Combat Battalion, 26th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in Luxembourg, on 24 December 1944. As Captain Cissna’s company was moving through Bilsdorf, Luxembourg, they were fired upon by hostile troops. Inspiring his men by his personal example of heroism, Captain Cissna led a platoon in an attack upon the town, but as the bitter fighting progressed, he realized that his forces were greatly outnumbered and that it would be necessary to withdraw. When the enemy launched a vicious counterattack shortly afterwards, he courageously elected to remain behind to cover the withdrawal of his men and fought alone until he was killed. Captain Cissna’s intrepid leadership and supreme 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.