The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Howard W. O’Donnell (ASN: 0-286225), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with an Infantry Company of the 133d Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at Cevaro, Italy, on 10 January 1944. While withdrawing to the battalion assembly area, First Lieutenant O’Donnell’s Infantry company was suddenly ambushed by the enemy on the slope of a hill. The enemy fired at his unit from three sides, using rifles, machinegun and mortars. He immediately directed his men to continue the withdrawal, staying behind to help and urge them along. The company took cover in a small defilade midway up the hill, but, realizing that they could not remain there long, he moved all his men from the draw and himself carried a wounded officer up over the hill through enemy fire. Organizing the company for defense, he led them in repelling a German attack. After organizing litter squads, he moved up and down the exposed slope four times to supervise the removal of wounded and recovery of equipment. He was later killed in action. First Lieutenant O’Donnell’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.