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 Corporal William T. Bedgood (ASN: 14005454), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company B, 82d Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2d Armored Division, in action against enemy forces in the vicinity of Schoningen, Germany, on 12 April 1945. While on a reconnaissance mission, two jeeps of Corporal Bedgood’s scout section were trapped and their crews pinned down by intense enemy machine gun, bazooka, panzerfaust, and small arms fire from eleven SS soldiers emplaced behind a street barricade. Corporal Bedgood voluntarily, in the face of murderous fire, rushed the enemy position and succeeded in penetrating the street barricade. Once inside the hostile position, Corporal Bedgood single-handedly destroyed a troop carrier with a hand grenade, knocked out a machine gun nest and killed or wounded five of the enemy with his submachine gun. It was only through his enterprise actions that his section was able to escape without loss. Corporal Bedgood’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.