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 Sergeant Leslie Lionel Van Dine, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in the vicinity of Cairo, Italy, on 11 February 1944. Sergeant Van Dine’s company and the enemy attacked almost simultaneously, each seeking to gain control of a strategically important hill. He displayed courage and determination in fighting off the enemy at close range, moving voluntarily to a dangerous position from which to throw his hand grenades with accuracy. Later he and two other Infantrymen were ordered to knock out an enemy machine gun. He crawled across barren and exposed terrain in the midst of enemy fire to a position from which he could reach the machine gun with grenades. Ignoring the sweeping enemy automatic fire, he exposed himself and threw hand grenades until the gun and enemy personnel were destroyed. Meanwhile, another enemy machine gun opened fire, killing his two companions. He then crawled to an even more dangerous spot and boldly facing the gun aimed directly at him, he hurled his remaining grenades and damaged the gun. Sergeant Van Dine’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.