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 Private Harry H. Van Auken (ASN: 32027342), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company M, 3d Battalion, 114th Infantry Regiment, 44th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces near Marionville, France, on 16 February 1945. When enemy infantry overran Company K’s forward positions and hostile tanks began to fire at almost point-blank range, Private Van Auken, machine gun ammunition bearer, fought the onrushing Germans with his carbine, killing three of the hostile troops. Although wounded three times while crossing 100 yards of fire-swept terrain to secure vitally needed ammunition, he secured the ammunition and had almost reached his machine gun position when he was fatally wounded by a hail of enemy fire. Private Van Auken’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 44th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.