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 Anthony Joseph Blazus, Jr. (ASN: 33263720), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 41st Armored Infantry Regiment, 2d Armored Division, in action against enemy forces in France, on 17 July 1944. While manning a machine gun post at St. Lennis le Gast, France, a German patrol captured Private Blazus and took him north toward Roncey, where a German column was planning to break through the ring of armor around them to flee south. The enemy column was headed by two large self-propelled guns and behind them for two miles there stretched out a string of vehicles, bumper to bumper. The column was attacked by American aircraft of the 9th Air Force, forcing the Germans to take leave their vehicles and take cover in a nearby ditch. The attacking aircraft flew back and forth across the column, destroying vehicles and raining devastating on the German forces. When the attack subsided and Private Blazus emerged from the ditch, there were few survivors. He assembled 80 Germans who had survived, taking them prisoners, and made his way back to American lines with them. Private Blazus’ 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, the 2d Armored Division, and the United States Army.