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 Private First Class James Francis Burgin (ASN: 38071885), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with an Infantry Company of the 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in France, on 30 June 1944. Private First Class Burgin, a machine gun section leader, volunteered to go out and hand grenade an enemy strongpoint consisting of two pillboxes which had been bypassed. As he was moving forward, the enemy placed heavy small arms and mortar fire upon him. Disdaining to withdraw in the face of this intense enemy fire, he continued forward to hand grenade one of the pillboxes and single-handedly capture the occupants. On the way to the second pillbox, a very heavy enemy artillery barrage was laid down in front of Private First Class Burgin, pinning him down. As soon as the artillery fire lifted momentarily, he moved to attack the pillbox but before he reached his objective the enemy continued the barrage and killed this valiant soldier. Private First Class Burgin’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.