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 Michael J. Pinto (ASN: 36831872), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with an Infantry Company of the 129th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action in Manila, Philippine Islands, on 10 February 1945. After an early morning amphibious assault on Provisor Island against enemy machine gun fire, Private Pinto and another soldier undertook to evacuate three of their wounded companions. Taking the most seriously wounded in their boat they paddled back across the fifty-yard wide estuary, occasionally maneuvering their boat to push that paddled by the other two wounded men. Enemy machine gun fire badly damaged both boats and sprayed the water around them, but they succeeded in reaching the shelter of a curve in the Estero de Paco and delivered the casualties to the Command Post. Upon receipt of word that another man had been badly wounded, Private Pinto and his companion again volunteered to attempt the dangerous double crossing. Selecting an undamaged boat they took with them a mortar squad and a load of ammunition to reinforce the group on the island. Despite continued enemy fire from three machine guns which again riddled their boat, they successfully completed the trip, bringing back two wounded men. Totally defenseless while exposed to the hostile fire on these crossings, Private Pinto displayed extraordinary heroism and at the risk of his life assisted in evacuating five wounded comrades to safety. His 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 37th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.