(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Charles W. Keyser, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company A, 191st Tank Battalion (Medium), attached to the 45th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces near Anzio, Italy, on 16 February 1944. When an attack was mounted, Sergeant Keyser, in charge of three tanks located behind a farmhouse 600 yards from the Factory. His No. 2 tank was knocked out in the morning by an artillery shelf. At noon, enemy infantry worked down the ditch beside the road to the farmhouse. Turning the turret of his No. 1 tank, he fired a 75-mm. shell which grazed the house and exploded in the midst of the enemy. A second attempt to take the house was broken up with hand grenades. Two enemy tanks approached down the road. Concealed by the cloud of dust around the house Sergeant Keyser moved his No. 1 tank out, knocked out one enemy tank with three rounds, and with four rounds set the other on fire. Well-placed shells disposed of the crews as they attempted to escape. At 1430 No. 3 tank received a direct hit. Sergeant Keyser’s radio, which he had been using to direct artillery fire, was damaged and he failed to receive the order from his platoon leader to withdraw. At 1615 six more enemy tanks appeared. Laying his own smoke screen the sergeant tried to make a run for it across country. Three hundred yards from the house his tank was hit and his driver killed. Badly burned, Sergeant Keyser hid in a ditch until after dark when he got back to his battalion. Staff Sergeant Keyser’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 and the United States Army.