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 Staff Sergeant Donald Everett Hestbeck (ASN: 17049564), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company H, 2d Battalion, 129th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at Luzon, Philippine Islands, from 9 to 13 February 1945. During the fighting in Manila, Staff Sergeant Hestbeck, on three occasions defied enemy fire to rescue wounded comrades who were without protection. Just before midnight on 9 February, a boat containing eight wounded soldiers was about to land when a Japanese 20-mm gun opened fire and killed three of the wounded. Unhesitatingly wading out into the chest-deep water while enemy fire raked the area, Staff Sergeant Hestbeck was the first to reach the boat. He single-handedly brought two men to shore and placed them under cover; then again going out to the boat, he carried to safety another severely wounded man. Two days later when a soldier was struck and seriously injured in the head by sniper fire, Staff Sergeant Hestbeck, with complete disregard of his own safety, moved forward ten yards, brought the wounded man back to cover and administered first aid, then secured a stretcher and evacuated the man to safety. A few minutes later when another soldier was sounded in the same fire lane, Staff Sergeant Hestbeck repeated his heroic actions and removed the man to the rear. On 13 February, eight men were caught 75 yards in front of American lines by intense enemy machine gun and knee mortar fire and four were wounded. Seizing a stretcher and calling his comrades to follow, Staff Sergeant Hestbeck moved forward and personally rescued one man while his comrades evacuated the remainder. Through his inspiring leadership and repeated courage in galanty going to the aid of wounded men, Sergeant Hestbeck saved the lives of several American Soldiers. Staff Sergeant Hestbeck’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 37th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.