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 Chester W. Floyd (ASN: 36729572), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action on 12 February 1944, while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in the vicinity of Cairo, Italy. The Germans launched a strong attack after heavy artillery and mortar preparation on a battalion’s positions on Mount Castellone. Private First Class Floyd, a rifleman, leaped from his shelter and effectively fired on the onrushing Germans until a ruptured cartridge jammed his rifle. Immediately, he discarded his rifle, and dauntlessly exposing himself to enemy small arms fire, hurled hand grenades with devastating accuracy into the midst of the enemy. When one German succeeded in reaching his position, Private First Class Floyd grabbed a bandolier of ammunition and struck the German in the head, killing him instantly. He then continued to throw grenades, remaining in his precarious position until the determined enemy attack was repulsed. Private First Class Floyd’s courage and coolness under fire were an inspiration to all members of his platoon and reflect the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.