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 Sergeant [then Private First Class] Matthew Ruggiero (ASN: 32598373), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as acting squad leader, First Squad, Third Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in the vicinity of Oberhoffen, France, on 9 and 10 February 1945. During an attack against the stubbornly defended northwest section of the town, Sergeant Ruggiero braved heavy enemy machine gun, rifle, and self-propelled gun fire, to lead his squad in clearing eight strongly fortified houses. He personally killed one German, captured eight and silenced three machine guns. With one companion he entered a building housing forty-seven enemy soldiers and forced their surrender. Later, he directed his men in repelling a strong counter-attack, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. Sergeant Ruggiero’s daring, initiative, personal intrepidity, and aggressive leadership were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army.