Manuel R. Zabala

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Manuel R. Zabala, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company K, 405th Infantry Regiment, 102d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 24 February 1945, near Hottorf, Germany. When an Allied tank was hit by enemy forces and went up in flames with five men inside, Private First Class Zabala sprinted through enemy fire to pull the five soldiers to safety. Shortly afterwards, a second tank was disabled. Again, Private First Class Zabala ignored the danger of enemy fire to pull two more men to safety. One of these had suffered wounds that shattered his leg, and Private First Class Zabala performed a battlefield amputation using only his trench knife and a scalpel. Private First Class Zabala’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 102d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.