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 Technician Fifth Grade William A. Montooth, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 363d Infantry Regiment, 91st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in Italy, on 6 and 7 July 1944. An extra cook and barber in Company L, Sergeant Montooth had replaced a rocket launcher man and had volunteered to act as a company observer. He killed twelve Germans during the first counterattack and accounted for five more in the second. As his comrades withdrew, he remained in position to cover the move. He ran from rifle to rifle left by the wounded, firing until the guns were empty. When further resistance became impossible, he carried wounded men over the top of the mountain to the reverse slope. He had been fighting for three days and nights with little food and less water. On the verge of collapse, Sergeant Montooth finally reported to a battalion officer the location of the rest of the wounded so that the medics could find them. Technician Fifth Grade Montooth’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 91st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.