(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Technical Sergeant Russell Newman Snoad (ASN: 31018801), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces near Petit-Coo, Belgium, on 23 December 1944. On that date his company was pinned down by extremely heavy automatic and small-arms fire coming from a house to the front, Mortar and tank artillery shells pounded the unit, when Technical Sergeant Snoad and a comrade, on their own initiative, moved forward into a hail of bullets to eliminate the ever-increasing fire from the German position. Crawling ahead to close with what they knew was a powerfully armed, vastly superior force, the pair reached the house and took up assault positions, While Technical Sergeant Snoad fired to cover him, his companion rushed the door, threw a pair of hand grenades, and then entered while firing his Tommy Gun, killing twenty of the enemy before he withdrew. A blast of fire killed Technical Sergeant Snoad and his companion, who then dashed back into the house, killing fifteen more of the enemy. Technical Sergeant Snoad’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 30th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.