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 David Lopez, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 135th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces near Lanuvio, Italy, on 1 June 1944. During an attack on a strong enemy position, Sergeant Lopez’s company was pinned down by fire from two well placed enemy machine guns. Sergeant Lopez voluntarily advanced up a knoll to a point 30 yards from one of the emplacements, opened fire with his submachine gun, wounded the enemy gunner, and forced four other members of the crew to surrender. Still under fire from the other machine gun emplacement, Sergeant Lopez and another man advanced toward it and killed four Germans of its crew. In neutralizing the second enemy machine gun, Sergeant Lopez suffered a shattered leg. Unable to move and unwilling to become a burden to his comrades, he remained behind and was captured by the Germans in a counterattack. Despite his painful wound he obtained valuable information. When his company attacked again Sergeant Lopez rejoined his comrades with this information, which aided them in repelling another German counterattack. Staff Sergeant Lopez’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 34th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.