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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) John F. Hermanspan, Jr. (ASN: 0-1321638), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 3d Battalion, 320th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces during the attack on Le Pane, France, on 31 July 1944. Lieutenant Hermanspan, a platoon leader, led an attack into a village for a distance of 150 yards, when concealed enemy troops opened fire with machine guns and small arms. After leading his platoon in a withdrawal from the village, he discovered that six wounded men had been left behind. Without hesitation, he re-entered the village, stood up deliberately to draw fire upon himself, and at the same time fired his carbine at the enemy. This diversion enabled the wounded soldiers to escape, but Lieutenant Hermanspan was fatally wounded. The intrepid courage of this officer, who placed the welfare of his troops over his own life, reflects high credit upon his character as an officer and is in accord with the traditions of military service.