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 Teddie Ben Rexall (ASN: 6277527), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Headquarters Company, 362d Infantry Regiment, 91st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces near Castelmassa, Italy, on 25 April 1945. Private Rexall’s company had crossed the Po River to secure the north bank and his machine gun squad had moved 200 yards beyond the river to a road junction when a vehicle was heard approaching. The squad deployed to cover both sides of the road. Private Rexall, however, set up his gun on the open road, waited until the vehicle, a German scout car, approached to within 50 yards, then coolly opened fire. He kept firing without moving as the car careened past him and crashed into a ditch behind, the driver killed. His company had infiltrated several hundred yards through enemy lines for the purpose of attacking toward the south and forcing the Germans to fight with their backs to the Pot River. Private Rexall and one companion took a machinegun down a road about 150 yards and set it up at a junction. In the bright moonlight, just as they reached the road junction, they spotted about 50 Germans coming their way. Private Rexall told his companion to take cover in a ditch, then quickly set his machinegun in the center of the road in full view of the enemy. Waiting until the Germans were only 75 yards away, he opened fire and forced the enemy to disperse, only to face a heavy counterfire from enemy machineguns, machine pistols, and rifles. Private Rexall remained at his gun and blasted away, although his company to the rear was pinned down by the intense enemy fire. Private Rexall was hit twice in the legs but continued to fire until his belt of ammunition gave out and he was forced to take cover in a ditch to reload. His now silent gun gave the Germans a chance to pour unreturned fire at him. Realizing that his company was pinned down and his gun was in the only position to put effective fire on the enemy, Private Rexall, despite his wounds, braved the withering fire to crawl back to his gun. He had almost reached the gen when a German, who had worked his way to within 25 feet of the soldier, opened fire with a machine pistol at almost point-blank range and hit Private Rexall twice more in the legs. Private Rexall crawled the remaining ten yards to his gun, reloaded, and killed the enemy sniper with one burst. With almost unbelievable determination, he continued fighting and killed four more Germans and wounded five before losing consciousness. Private Rexall’s extraordinary heroism kept the enemy bottled up and prevented serious casualties to 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 91st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.