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 Technician Fifth Grade Edward Shaffer (ASN: 17088074), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 348th Engineer Combat Battalion, 37th Engineer Combat Battalion, 5th Engineer Special Brigade, Special Engineer Task Force (Provisional), Engineer Special Brigade Group (Separate), FIRST U.S. Army, in action against enemy forces at Normandy, France, on 6 and 7 June 1944. Technician Fifth Grade Shaffer arrived on the invasion beach on D-Day and, upon learning that his battalion had not yet landed, volunteered his services to an adjacent unit. For a four-hour period he operated his bulldozer through continuous and devastating artillery, mortar, machine gun and small arms fire to clear obstacles and construct exits from the fire-swept beach. On the following morning, he moved with assaulting infantry under fierce fire and again operated a bulldozer with complete indifference to shells landing dangerously near him, widening roads and preparing transit areas which facilitated the movement inland of vital combat equipment. Technician Fifth Grade Shaffer’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 and the United States Army.