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 Technical Sergeant Romeo M. Ramirez (ASN: 39688418), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 349th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in the vicinity of Sassoleone, Italy, on 6 October 1944. After seizing an enemy-held house, Technical Sergeant Ramirez and his men lost contact with the remainder of his company when the enemy surrounded the building. With only seventeen men left, Technical Sergeant Ramirez made preparations to withstand counterattacks by posting men at windows and doors. Standing along in the doorway, fully exposed, he killed five Germans who tried to break into the building and succeeded in repulsing the assault. Later the enemy attacked from two directions, supported by machine gun fire which riddled and blasted the house on all sides. Running from one window to another, Sergeant Ramirez fired at the enemy and shouted encouragement to his men. Using incendiaries, the Germans set fire to the building. Although further resistance seemed futile, Technical Sergeant Ramirez by his courageous determination and force of leadership, induced his men to hold their positions. Fighting the fire, repelling two more counterattacks, Technical Sergeant Ramirez killed three more Germans, and at dawn when help arrived, he and his men still clung tenaciously to the shattered, half-burned building, holding a critical objective against repeated counterattacks during which four of his men were killed and ten wounded. Technical Sergeant Ramirez and his men killed twenty-two Germans and captured five. The heroic deed of Technical Sergeant Ramirez at great risk to his live were a vital factor in the successful accomplishment of his battalion’s mission. Technical Sergeant Ramirez’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 88th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.