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 Technical Sergeant Edwin Knapp Turner (ASN: 32012512), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 135th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in the vicinity of Lanuvio, Italy, on 3 June 1944. During an attack, the platoon in which Technical Sergeant Turner served as platoon guide, encountered intense enemy rifle, machine gun and mortar fire which caused heavy casualties, including the loss of the platoon leader and platoon sergeant. Assuming command of the platoon, Technical Sergeant Turner led his men to cover in a nearby ditch and reorganized his squads. Realizing that his platoon would be unable to continue the attack or repel an enemy counterattack, Technical Sergeant Turner crawled from the ditch and set out to locate a platoon to his left which had been pinned down and isolated for almost six hours by intense enemy fire. To reach this platoon he was forced to travel 200 yards through machine gun and mortar fire. Upon reaching the platoon, he directed the evacuation of casualties and, using a radio contacted a tank destroyer and directed fire to knock out two of the enemy machine guns. He then led this platoon to his own organization and deployed both units in defense. The Germans attacked and were repelled, but one enemy machine gun continued to harass the position. Sergeant Turner crawled across open terrain and drew the enemy’s fire in order to spot the machine gun. Once located, the machine gun was knocked out of action by a rifle grenade. Technical Sergeant Turner’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 34th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.