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 Albert H. Fesmire, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with and Infantry Company of the 13th Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 19 September 1944, in the battle for the vital Brittany port of Brest, France. When his company was pinned down by fire from an enemy pillbox, Private First Class Arthur C. Jett and Private Albert H. Fesmire, operating an army flamethrower, volunteered to advance upon the emplacement in an effort to neutralize it. They crept 75 yards under enemy fire to reach a point less than 25 feet from the pillbox. They then opened the valve of their flamethrower and scorched the pillbox, which had been holding up the progress of an entire battalion. Private Fesmire’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 8th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.