(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Martin N. Schreck (ASN: 12042188), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in Italy, on 9 November 1943. Private First Class Schreck was a member of a seven-man patrol sent out to seize and hold a hill near Venafro, Italy. When he saw several Germans on the crest of the hill, he volunteered as first scout, and when he had crawled to within twenty yards of the Germans he found himself facing a machine gun emplacement. Rushing up, Private First Class Schreck ordered the two Nazis to surrender, but then hidden machine guns opened up on him. The two enemy soldiers began hurling hand grenades, one of which landed next to him, stunning him and shaking him up. However, he crawled back to the patrol while the others were engaged in a fire fight with the others on the hill, obtained several hand grenades, and crept back under fire to within ten yards of the gun and knocked it out with one grenade, killing both Germans. Although he was severely wounded, he helped his patrol in the continued fight for the hill, which lasted until after dark. Private First Class Schreck’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 45th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.