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 Staff Sergeant Anthony L. Samele (ASN: 32610116), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as a Squad Leader with the 1st Platoon, Company A, 27th Armored Infantry Battalion, 9th Armored Division, in action against enemy forces in Germany, on 7 March 1945. Upon reaching the Ludendorf railroad bridge crossing the Rhine River, Staff Sergeant Samele, aware that the bridge was prepared for demolition, and in the face of heavy machine gun, small arms, and direct 20-mm. gun fire, began a hazardous trip across the span. Although artillery shells and two explosions rocked the bridge, he continued his advance. Upon reaching the bridge towers on the far side, he cleared them of snipers and demolition crews. Still braving intense machine gun and shell fire, he reached the eastern side of the river where he eliminated hostile snipers and gun crews from along the bank and on the face of the bluff overlooking the river. By his outstanding heroism and unflinching valor, Staff Sergeant Samele contributed materially to the establishment of the first bridgehead across the Rhine River.