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 Private William L. Kellum (ASN: 34803794), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 24 May 1944. At 0515 hours, near Cisterna di Littoria, Italy, Private Kellum jumped from a ditch, where he lay concealed, into the middle of a column of sixty enemy infantrymen. Firing his Thompson sub-machine gun from his hip, pivoting on his heels and firing continuously at enemy elements so close to him that they could have touched the muzzle of his weapon, Private Kellum spread panic and death, transforming the enemy company in a matter of seconds into a disorganized mob. As the Battle Patrol opened fire on the terrified enemy from the ditches flanking the road, Private Kellum received a fatal burst of enemy fire and fell forward, squeezing the trigger as he died. The suddenness and fury with which he assaulted the enemy company, at the deliberate sacrifice of his life, enabled is organization to kill twenty of the enemy, capture the remaining forty, and allow none to escape, at the cost of only three casualties. Private Kellum’s 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 3d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.