Daniel B. Vannice

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Daniel B. Vannice (33710273), Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with an Infantry Company of the 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 16 April 1945, in Germany. When a strong enemy force attacked the rear of his company’s positions, Staff Sergeant Vannice braved a hail of fire to reach a firing position at an upstairs window of a nearby building from which he placed accurate rifle fire upon the attackers, allowing the advance. Abandoning his position long enough to secure a rocket launcher from his company’s command post a short distance away, he returned to the window and fired his rocket launcher at an approaching self-propelled gun. Four high explosive shells from the hostile weapon failed to dislodge him from his post. Returning the fire, he destroyed the gun, killing three Germans. Though severely wounded by rifle fire a short while later, Staff Sergeant Vannice, after having his wounds dressed, continued to resist the enemy force from a second position until the last German was either killed or wounded. Staff Sergeant Vannice’s intrepid actions, 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 30th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.