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 Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) David Owen Byars, Jr. (ASN: 0-21273), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer of the 2d Battalion, 328th Infantry Regiment, 26th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in the Foret de Bride et de Koecking, France, on 14 November 1944. While spearheading an attack on strong German positions, Colonel Byers decided that the enemy was adjusting on the battalion’s radio transmitters and picking up the movement of his men, so he ordered his radios silenced. Setting out personally to lay the telephone wire, he and his three companions were ambushed. One man was killed and the other two were wounded, but Colonel Byars plunged into the brush and, working his way to the flank of the German ambuscade, shot the German gunner, deliberately drawing fire from other concealed positions so that he could spot the source. Convinced that the enemy was laying a trap and planned to attack the battalion from the rear, Colonel Byars tried to send a message over the newly laid line, but found it was cut. Taking the most seriously wounded soldier back with him over a circuitous route, Colonel Byars reached the rear and got a company of infantry and one tank destroyer to reinforce him at the front. Then, riding the tank and directing its fire, he led an attack, killing or capturing all the Germans in the position. Lieutenant Colonel Byars’ 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 26th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.