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 Private First Class Leo Leon Zingale (ASN: 35518341), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in France, on 10 July 1944. During an advance on enemy positions, in the face of intense enemy small arms fire, Private First Class Zingale’s squad was forced to withdraw because of an enemy artillery barrage on the position. He was wounded and, unable to keep up with his squad, was taken prisoner. The enemy, using Private First Class Zingale as a decoy, placed him on open ground in full view of and about ten yards from three machine guns. Although he realized his act would almost certainly result in his death, Private First Class Zingale leaped to his fee and shouted a warning to his comrades and urged them to fire directly at him in order to hit the machine gunners to his read. Throwing himself to the ground and when his squad opened fire, he observed the effect of the fire and when the enemy gunners had been killed he so informed his comrades. His unselfish act in preventing his comrades falling into a trap enabled them to continue the attack and reach their objective. Private First Class Zingale’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 8th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.