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 John W. Rebuffo (ASN: 39232950), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism while serving with an Infantry Company of the 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy at Leyte, Philippine Islands, on 25 October 1944. A rifle company was advancing toward the Buri air strip, when it encountered heavy enemy fire and suffered several casualties. As the advance elements took cover, Private Rebuffo, a machine gunner, quickly delivered covering fire which enabled his comrades to evacuate four wounded. The enemy then moved a machine gun to a flanking position, opened fire, and inflicted five more casualties. Unable to fire on this position, Private Rebuffo turned his gun over to his second gunner; with utter disregard for his personal safety rose to an exposed standing position and started hurling grenades at the flanking force. His comrades supplied him with their own grenades to help keep up the effective fire. They released the pins and tossed the grenades already armed to Private Rebuffo, who caught and hurled them toward the enemy. Having again covered the successful evacuation of casualties, he turned to assist in the movement of his gun to a new position. As he stooped to grasp the tripod, he was hit and wounded in the arm. Disregarding the wound, he turned again to his gun, but was caught by a burst of enemy machine gun fire which broke both of his arms. Unable to crawl to cover, he calmly walked to the rear under heavy fire. Through his extraordinary heroism, indomitable fighting spirit and selfless actions, Private Rebuffo enabled nine wounded soldiers to be evacuated and caused heavy losses to the enemy. 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.