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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Nathaniel Kaplan, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at St. Croix, France, on 26 November 1944. When the leading elements of Company C were subjected to intense enemy machine gun fire, wounding six men of his platoon, Lieutenant Kaplan immediately dashed forward across the exposed area to assist his men. Skillfully employing his M-1 rife under withering enemy small arms fire he took and occupied the deserted enemy position. Spotting another well-concealed enemy position from which heavy automatic weapons fire was being directed upon him, Lieutenant Kaplan fearlessly exposed himself to fire upon it, killing five Germans with his deadly fire and forcing the remainder to flee in disorder. Reorganizing his men, he then led them in clearing his assigned sector of the town until, suddenly, heavy machine gun fire from three enemy tanks swept the advancing platoon. Courageously leading his men forward in the face of withering fire, he personally directed the platoon’s fire against the tanks, killing three of the Germans and forcing the tanks to withdraw. First Lieutenant Kaplan’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 36th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.