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 First Lieutenant (Armor), [then Staff Sergeant] Edward C. Watson (ASN: 39903802), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company C, 716th Tank Battalion (Separate), attached to the 43d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 24 and 25 January 1945, and on 8 February 1945. During the battles for three vital enemy-held towns between Baguio and Manila, Lieutenant Watson served successively as acting platoon leader, tank commander, forward observer and spotter in Company C, 716th Tank Battalion. He displayed exceptional courage and intrepidity in the defeat and decimation of the fiercely resisting Japanese forces. When heavy losses were suffered by armored units attack San Manuel and replacements were not available, he crawled through a concentration of enemy fire to a damaged tank, repaired it, and under heavy weapons fire drove the salvaged tank out of range of the enemy guns. Subsequently, when inter-tank communications were severed by enemy gunfire, he dismounted and, in the face of an enemy barrage, led his tanks by hand signal across 75 yards of open terrain to a covered position. When two tanks were disabled during a fierce battle, he made his way under heavy sniper fire to one of the tanks, rendered it useless, and then alternately crawling and running, advanced deep into enemy lines to the second tank and rendered it ineffective. Laden with a machine gun, two boxes of ammunition, binoculars, and firing mechanisms from the tank weapons, he then made his way 400 yards through concentrated enemy automatic weapons, sniper, and mortar fire to friendly lines. IN the final phases of the assault on Umingan, through his bold reconnaissance of strategic hostile emplacements and the skillful employment of his tanks, he struck a surprise blow which destroyed a dangerous enemy system of anti-tank guns, field pieces, and pillboxes. Similarly, during the six-day battle for Lupac, he made repeated reconnaissances which resulted in the destruction of 33 enemy tanks. The intrepid leadership, courage, and initiative of Lieutenant Watson, and his utter disregard for personal danger, so inspired his men that they were able successfully to eliminate a large part of the armored command. Staff Sergeant Watson’s 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.