John M. Gabbamonte

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to John M. Gabbamonte, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company F, 357th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 23 June 1944, near Dupreys, France. When fire from an enemy tank severely wounded a soldier firing a rocket launcher near his position, Staff Sergeant Gabbamonte quickly recovered the rocket launcher and fired upon the tank, forcing it to retreat. When a second tank approached, the intrepid sergeant held his position and placed such effective fire upon the tank that he set it on fire. A third tank moved up and opened fire upon the sergeant, but he forced it to withdraw by scoring a direct hit. His conspicuous courage, heroic determination to engage the enemy and his supreme devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 90th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.