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 Martin J. Popson (ASN: 33248520), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with an Infantry Company of the 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action at Manila, Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 9 February 1945. During a Japanese counterattack against their company in the Pandacan District, Private Popson, machine gunner, and his squad leader, crossed twenty yards of open terrain interdicted by heavy enemy machine gun and rifle fire, covering their advance with the light machine gun they carried. Upon reaching a previously selected position, they opened fire on an enemy machine gun fifty yards away, killing the gunner and wounding two crew members. Then, firing from a standing position, they knocked out the three occupants of a machine gun emplacement in the Pandacan School building and killed three more defenders in the subsequent action to capture the building. Later in the day, Private Popson and his companion three times crawled under enemy fire to within fifty yards of enemy machine guns on the route of attack, destroyed each one and killed eleven of the enemy. At the Paco Railroad Station, despite intense enemy fire, this team reduced two more enemy machine gun installations, leaving seven dead. The fire from their machine gun, against a second Japanese counterattack, was so intense and accurate that the enemy line wavered and broke. In this operation around Pandacan School and Paco Railroad Station, Private Popson and his squad leader reduced seven enemy installations and killed thirty-three Japanese. Their outstanding and sustained heroism in the face of intense enemy fire was an inspiration to their comrades and played an important part in the successful performance of the company. 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.