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 George T. Retzlaff (ASN: 36300914), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at Leyte, Philippine Islands, on 28 October 1944. While Company F was crossing a cornfield during clearing operations, the men came under heavy fire from an enemy strongpoint consisted of pillboxes, connecting trenches, and spider holes, and suffered heavy losses. Private First Class Retzlaff, an automatic rifleman, on his own initiative, attacked a trench containing at least twenty-five Japanese soldiers, emptying two magazines into the crowded trench. As he was inserting his third magazine, he was hit three times in the right wrist by enemy fire, and fell to the ground. Despite his serious wounded, Private First Class Retzlaff tossed three grenades into the enemy trench with his left hand. In this action he drew enemy fire upon himself, allowing the rest of Company F to reorganize and renew their advance against the entrenched Japanese. Private First Class Retzlaff’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 7th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.