(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Captain (Field Artillery) Kenneth E. Beitler, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Battery C, 58th Armored Field Artillery Battalion (Separate), FIRST U.S. Army, in action against enemy forces on D-Day in Normandy, France, on 6 June 1944. The first to debark his landing craft on an artillery piece, Captain Beitler went ashore under intense and well aimed machine gun and small arms fire. He supervised the placement of his weapon and continued through the day to direct accurate artillery fire to support the infantry. His extraordinary heroism and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.