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 Staff Sergeant Theodore Babiasz (ASN: 33108412), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in the vicinity of Balete Pass, Luzon, on 7 May 1945. During offensive operations against Japanese forces in Northern Luzon, Philippine Islands, Company A, 148th Infantry Regiment was deployed along Myoka Ridge guarding the supply route of the 25th Infantry Division in the vicinity of Balete Pass, when a group of enemy soldiers, armed with rifles and two light machine guns, suddenly appeared after dark along the Myoka Road, above the company’s perimeter. Staff Sergeant Babiasz, a squad leader, who with his men was holding a series of positions on the company’s outer defenses, immediately rallied his squad in a fire fight against the attacking force in an effort to halt its advance and to knock out a well-concealed machine gun position with which the Japanese had now succeeded n preventing our advance along the narrow confines of the mountain road. Staff Sergeant Babiasz and two of his men were emplaced in a foxhole closest to the hostile group, about 50 yards from the enemy stronghold. During the engagement, an enemy soldier charged fanatically across the road and dropped a grenade in to Staff Sergeant Babiasz’s position as he advanced down the ridge. Hearing the deadly charge land in the foxhole, Staff Sergeant Babiasz tried desperately to find the grenade in the darkness and after a few seconds, succeeded. Realizing it was too late to toss it from the hole, he placed his foot firmly over the grenade and absorbed the full force of the explosion in order to save his companions from certain injury. The blast shattered his foot but left his comrades unscathed. Despite the gravity of his wounds and the excruciating pain which resulted, Staff Sergeant Babiasz continued to direct the defense of his sector against the determined enemy until, weaken ed by shock and the loss of blood, he lost consciousness. Through his gallant leadership, indomitable fighting spirit, and unremitting concern for the welfare of his comrades, Staff Sergeant Babiasz made possible his company’s retention of an important tactical position. His extraordinary heroism, self-sacrificing heroism, and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 37th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.