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) Michael William Knoll, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 28 August 1944, near St. Jacques, France. When his platoon’s attack was stopped by in tense machine gun crossfire and hostile shelling, Lieutenant Knoll bravely led two of his comrades to a house at a crossroad and directed them in silencing two enemy machine guns and killing five Germans. Three friendly tanks came forward to neutralize the enemy strong points and Lieutenant Knoll, despite heavy fire, directed them into position from an exposed spot on the top of the foremost tank. When heavy enemy artillery and mortar concentrations frustrated the tank attack and set a building on fire, he rejoined his comrades and ordered them to withdraw while he remained behind to provide covering fire. He was captured by the enemy but managed to escape several days later with ten prisoners and valuable information.