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 Staff Sergeant William Marion Guest (ASN: 31048833), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 355th Infantry Regiment, 89th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in Germany, on 8 April 1945. When Sergeant Guest’s platoon was immobilized in an exposed position by two enemy machine guns and rifle fire that killed his Platoon Leader, he assumed command. Then, despite a leg wound and ignoring his comrades’ pleas to remain under cover, he advanced alone upon the two weapons firing his rifle from his hip and dragging his injured leg. Three times he was knocked down by machine gun fire but each time struggled to his feet to press forward until he had killed five Germans and routed the remaining gunner. His silencing of the weapons enabled the platoon to advance and capture its objective but Staff Sergeant Guest was dead when his comrades reached him. Staff Sergeant Guest’s outstanding courage and sacrificial devotion to duty minimized the casualties to his platoon. His extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 89th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.