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 First Class Billie Muenster (ASN: 35710027), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 9 February 1945. Company L, 148th Infantry Regiment, was advancing in the Pandacan District of Manila when a counterattack was suddenly launched by the enemy against the company’s exposed right flank. Private First Class Muenster, a machine gunner, immediately rushed to a position at the flan, and with no time to set up his machine gun, cradled it in his arms and opened fire. To obtain better observation he stepped forward to an open area and, fully exposed to the enemy, maintained telling automatic fire against the charging Japanese until they broke and retreated to previously prepared positions in and around the Paco Railroad Station. Private First Class Muenster then joined a platoon attacking those positions from the right flank; and after three enemy machine guns had been put out of action by hand grenades, he ran forward and set up his gun behind partial cover in a field. Six times the enemy tried to re-establish the positions, and six times they were thwarted by Private First Class Muenester’s accurate fire. Despite heavy return fire directed at him constantly, he held his position and maintained fire until the assault was ordered. Then, with the machine gun again cradled in this arms, he led his comrades in a fierce attack, firing as he advanced. In the course of this action he single-handedly killed at least 25 enemy troops and destroyed seven or more enemy machine guns. Through his magnificent gallantry in the face of almost certain death, Private First Class Muenster proved himself worthy of the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.