Navy Federal Credit Union

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. Private First Class Zingale’s squad was advancing against a German machine gun position when he was wounded. An artillery barrage forced the squad to fall back, but Private First Class Zingale was unable to withdraw. German machine gunners seized him and placed him in open ground 30 feet from their three guns hoping to lure his comrades to help him. Realizing the danger to his comrades, he struggled to his feet and shouted: “Fire right at me boys. Fire at me and you’ll hit the Heinie machine guns.” Then he flopped to the ground just as his squad fired into the machine gun nest and kept on directing the fire until all the enemy gunners were wiped out. His unselfish act in preventing his comrades from falling into a trap enabled them to continue the attack and reach their objectives. 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.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private First Class

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    28th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    8th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    July 10, 1944

    Headquarters, THIRD U.S. Army, General Orders No. 62 (September 22, 1944)

    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.