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 Staff Sergeant Henry Ellwood Brooks (ASN: 39592878), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 127th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces along the Villa Verde Trail, Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 24 April 1945. Two infantry platoons had dug in for the night after repeated but vain day-long attempts to secure an important hilltop overlooking the Villa Verde Trail. He had become apparent that further daylight attack on the position would result in heavy casualties. Staff Sergeant Brooks volunteered to attack the enemy single-handedly under cover of darkness. Taking a supply of hand grenades, he crept slowly forward to one of the two enemy pillboxes which blocked the trail, destroying it with hand grenades. Under a hail of hand grenades from the Japanese in the second pillbox, he made his way back to his own lines, where he asked for a volunteer to assist him in attacking the second emplacement. Armed with a rocket launcher, he and his companion advanced fearlessly to the pillbox already neutralized and from it opened rocket fire which destroyed the second enemy position. Through his extraordinary heroism in the face of grave and certain danger, Staff Sergeant Brooks paved the way for a successful attack in which his comrades secured their objective without casualties. Staff Sergeant Brooks’ 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 32d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.