The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Daniel Albert Blue (ASN: 0-1315901), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with an Infantry Company of the 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at Leyte, Philippine Islands, on 28 October 1944. When the advance of his rifle platoon was halted by heavy enemy machine gun and rifle fire, Lieutenant Blue made his way across more than 300 yards of open terrain to request the aid of a tank. Returning to his platoon in a state of exhaustion, he nevertheless directed answering fire against a Japanese pillbox which was holding up the vehicle’s advance. Upon the tank’s arrival he directed its fire from an exposed position on the turret and succeeded in silencing four more pillboxes, enabling his platoon to resume its progress. Two hundred yards beyond the neutralized emplacement, the platoon again came under fierce small arms fire. Again Lieutenant Blue exposed himself while directing a mortar concentration against enemy positions, forcing their abandonment in a short time. Throughout the eight-hour engagement, he displayed shrewd tactical judgment in deploying his platoon, resulting in the defeat of the enemy and the minimizing of casualties in his command. Lieutenant Blue was killed in a subsequent action on 17 December 1944. By his keep professional knowledge, physical stamina and unwavering courage, Lieutenant Blue reflected great credit upon himself and maintained the highest traditions of the United States Army.