(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Nicholas Michael Eslinger, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as a Platoon Leader in Company C, 2d Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, on 1 October 2008, in Samarra, Iraq, during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM VII. Under limited visibility conditions, while moving dismounted through heavily populated streets of the historic city of Samarra, Iraq, in the Hiberia II neighborhood, 1st platoon was attacked with a single anti-personnel hand grenade thrown into the middle of their movement formation. The attack came from an enemy combatant, hidden behind a courtyard wall, who waited for the center of the patrol to pass in front of him. This enemy action took the entire patrol by surprise and had the potential to severely wound or kill up to six members of the platoon. After the grenade landed within the formation, Second Lieutenant Eslinger quickly assessed the situation, realizing that if the grenade detonated where it landed, it would kill or injure at least six Soldiers that were in the blast radius. With complete disregard for his personal safety and well-being, Second Lieutenant Eslinger ran towards the grenade located approximately six feet in front of him, and covered it with his body. When the grenade did not immediately go off, he threw it back over the wall in the direction of the enemy. Second Lieutenant Eslinger did this fully knowing that there was a high probability that the grenade could detonate and kill him as he tried to save his Soldiers. Upon throwing the grenade, Second Lieutenant Eslinger immediately yelled for all of his men to get down and take cover from the pending blast. As they were following his order, the grenade detonated; no Soldiers were wounded or killed by the grenade’s explosion. Following the blast, Second Lieutenant Eslinger took immediate action to eliminate the enemy threat. He directed one squad to move to the position where the grenade had been thrown and organized another squad to move to the enemy’s most likely egress route. His element found the point of origin for the attack and began tactical questioning of individuals in the area. The intelligence gained from his site exploitation led to the detention of the individual that threw the grenade in less than twelve hours from the time of the incident. Despite the incredible danger, Second Lieutenant Eslinger took actions under extreme circumstances that saved the lives of his Soldiers. His initial instinct to sacrifice himself for his comrades is truly valorous. He demonstrated unsurpassed determination, courage, and small unit combat leadership in saving the lives of his Soldiers and then aggressively pursuing the enemy. His incredible bravery inspired all of his Soldiers, as well as the entire company, to continue the pursuit of dangerous enemy elements remaining in Samarra. Second Lieutenant Eslinger’s bravery is in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflects distinct credit upon him, the Multi-National Corps-Iraq, and the United States Army.