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 Walter E. Ahrens (ASN: 6937079), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action against a hostile force while serving with the 6617th Mine Clearing Company, U.S. SEVENTH Army, in actions against the enemy in Southern France, on 15 August 1944. During the initial landings on one of the most strongly-held beaches in Southern France, after his tank was drowned out upon debarkation in the shallow waters off the Frenchy coast, Corporal Ahrens ordered the men under his command to breach a defensive wall 6-feet high and 4-feet wide, which stretches across the beach. He then brought demolition charges from his stalled tank to blow a hole in the wall. Swimming and crawling between the tank and the shore under constant enemy fire, Corporal Ahrens finally landed enough demolition charges and a gap 12-feet wide was blasted in the enemy fortification, enabling the succeeding waves of tanks and vehicles to pas through quickly and destroy the enemy. Corporal Ahrens’ unquestionable valor in close combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army.