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 Hector Joseph Kilrea, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 143d Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in Germany on 12 and 13 December 1944. On that date, Staff Sergeant Kilrea spotted an enemy Mark VI tank, 100 yards way, advancing slowly down the street supported by foot troops heavily armed with machine guns, rifles and machine pistols. Kilrea immediately grabbed an M-1 rifle and fired upon the advancing foot troops from an opening between the wall and the house. His fire caused the enemy foot troops to take cover in positions along the road and in the doorways of houses. The tank came to a halt eight yards from Staff Sergeant Kilrea. Despite the personal danger involved, he took a bazooka and, after loading it, ran out alone into the open street. Standing up, in full view of the enemy, he fired his weapon although the small arms protection given the tank made it extremely dangerous. Enemy small arms fire was being directed on him and down the road. His first round hit the tank. He then ran into the yard, loaded his weapon and again went into the street. Hitting the tank again, he forced it to withdraw behind a nearby building. He repeated the loading procedure a third time and, again exposing himself to point-blank fire, held his weapon at a slight angle and fired over the corner of a building. Although enemy fire still was on him, he repeated this a fourth time, firing over the building corner. He returned to the yard to reload four more times. On the eighth time, his bazooka was put out of commission by a rifle bullet. However, his action forced the tank and troops to withdraw, thereby eliminating a serous threat to the entire company. The following day Staff Sergeant Kilrea, borrowing a bazooka, crawled within 50 feet of the enemy tank. Although he had no protection from enemy observation, from a kneeling position he fired three well-aimed rounds at the tank, hitting it each time to knock it out. Staff Sergeant Kilrea’s calm and deliberate action not only saved the company from serious threat but inspired those who witnessed his actions. Staff Sergeant Kilrea’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.