(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 Private Joe Maria Marez (ASN: 38142317), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as a Medical Aidman with the 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at Normandy, France, on 16 June 1944. The platoon to which Private Marez had been attached was ordered to assault a German position, and as the Americans broke through the underbrush to a clearing, they became pinned down by enemy machine gun and rifle fire. Several men were wounded as the unit fell back to cover. Hearing cries for help from the wounded men still laying exposed on the battlefield, Private Marez crawled out into the open. While bullets flew overhead, he crawled toward one of the wounded men, treated his wounds, and then moved on to a second casualty. As snipers showered dirt on his head with near misses, he kept crawling to the second casualty, who had been struck by a bullet in the jaw, treated the wound with sulfa and began applying a dressing. While administering first aid, Private Marez was struck in the head, however, despite a bullet lodged in his brain, he continued bandaging the soldier, and then crawled toward a third wounded man. After treating the third casualties bullet wounds, Private Marez was crawling to a fourth casualty when he collapsed on the battlefield. Private Marez’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 2d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.