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 William J. Cromen, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with an Infantry Company of the 129th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 9 February 1945 at Manila, Luzon, Philippine Islands. During the attack on Provisor Island, Private First Class Cromen was wounded in the hand when a Japanese 20-mm. gun opened fire on two assault boats carrying men of his unit across the 50-yard estuary to the island occupied by a strong Japanese force. As soon as he and his comrades reached the hostile shore they were met by intense rifle and machine gun fire, some of it coming from an enemy pillbox which was jeopardizing the American advance. Private First Class Cromen voluntarily and without orders, disregarded his wounded hand and enemy fire to crawl 35 yards to the blind side of the pillbox. Pitching hand grenades, he killed the two Japanese soldiers inside and silenced their machine gun. The Japanese counterattacks later in the day caused several more American casualties and Private First Class Cromen assisted his commanding officer in the evacuation of the wounded that night. When enemy fire struck the rescue boat and killed three of the eight men being rescued, despite the fact that he could not swim, Private First Class Cromen jumped into the water and paddled and pushed the boat to safety. Private First Class Cromen’s 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 37th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.