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 Staff Sergeant Arthur S. Toothman (ASN: 20944190), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with an Infantry Company of the 161st Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in action at New Georgia, Solomon Islands, on 28 and 29 July 1943, when his unconquerable courage, battle skill and self-sacrifice in a critical moment of combat bolstered the hold of a small force on a strategic position in the drive on Munda Airfield. A Mess Sergeant at the rear when reinforcements were ordered by a small reconnaissance patrol which had captured a hilltop in a surprise attack, Sergeant Toothman volunteered to go forward. He arrived in time to help the patrol destroy a pillbox, boldly ripping off its top so that a rifleman could follow through and kill the Japanese soldier seeking cover inside. He then served as a rifleman in the center of the line and helped repulse repeated night counterattacks on the command post until he received wounds from which he died a few hours later. Staff Sergeant Toothman’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty, at the cost of his own life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 25th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.