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 Joseph V. DeLuca (ASN: 32873336), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at Manila, Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 17 and 18 February 1945. During the fighting in Manila, Company G, 148th Infantry Regiment, after capturing the National Sweepstakes building, was temporarily halted by intense fire from a heavy machine gun emplaced in a pillbox. Private First Class DeLuca, a rocket launcher operator, dashed across an open field through heavy fire to a position within 60 yards of the enemy strongpoint. Completely exposed to the full volume of enemy automatic fire, he quickly fired two rockets, destroyed the pillbox and killed four Japanese. Although he now drew heavy machine gun fire from two emplacements on his right flank, he skillfully maneuvered into position, launched four rounds, neutralized both pillboxes, and killed the six enemy within. A few hours later, he discovered a house being used as a Japanese ammunition dump. Crawling to within 25 yards of the house, he fired a single phosphorous rocket into the building, exploding the ammunition and killing eight Japanese occupants. The same day the company was halted again by an enemy pillbox. Risking his life once more, Private First Class DeLuca expertly destroyed the emplacement and killed four hostile soldiers. The following day, he engaged an enemy emplacement guilt into a window the Engineering Building of the University of the Philippines. Completely exposed to concentrated machine gun and rifle fie, he calmly launched seven rockets, demolishing the strongpoint and killed five of the enemy. In two days of fierce fighting, Private First Class DeLuca single-handedly destroyed five pillboxes, exploded an ammunition dump, and killed 27 Japanese soldiers. His indomitable fighting spirit, resolute courage under fire, and superb skill in the use of his weapon bring great honor on himself and exemplify the highest traditions of the United States Army.