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 Miles Ruben Beckstrom, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy as a member of the 3d Company, 3d Regiment, First Special Service Force, in action against enemy forces near Cisterna, Italy, on 16 February 1944. Private Beckstrom’s post was at a light machine gun near a canal, when, after an artillery and mortar barrage, enemy flakwagons, tanks, and infantry moved out from concealment to attack positions held by American infantry. He held his fire for a lucrative target and opened fire with devastating effect against an enemy flakwagon. Another flakwagon landed a shell directly in front of his machine gun, crumpling the walls of the pit and knocking the gunners down. Private Beckstrom and his comrade opened fire again, before a second shell landed nearby, again knocking them down. Again they got up and opened fire until a close hit knocked him unconscious. When he revived, he was rising to again return fire when a fourth enemy shall smashed the ammunition box, and a fifth, immediately following, wrecked the gun. Taking his rifle, Private Backstrom began a search for a new position. While doing so, he encountered a wounded soldier whom he carried to safety. He then ran across the field to the canal bank and joined a section in position on the west bank. He crawled to the top of the bank to secure a better firing position and was knocked unconscious by the shock of a small explosion on the bank just in front of him. Revived, a moment later he was again rendered unconscious, but within a few minutes he returned as a rifleman, advancing to a new position, where his Infantry unit forced the Germans to break off the action and withdraw. Private Beckstrom’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 and the United States Army.