Sylvester Donald Singlestad

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sylvester Donald Singlestad, Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company F, 135th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 4 February 1944, near Cairo, Italy. Technical Sergeant Singlestad’s platoon was attacked by a large force of Germans. In the fierce fight which followed, he and one of his squads were surrounded and cut off from the rest of the company. Technical Sergeant Singlestad fought his way free by moving toward and through the enemy, throwing hand grenades as he advanced. He killed at least six of the enemy and wounded several others. When he had expended all his ammunition, he used his rifle as a club against the enemy who surrounded him. Coming face to face with two Germans, he felled them both with his rifle butt, dived over a rock wall, seized another rifle and continued his advance to the company command post. Technical Sergeant Singlestad gave his commanding officer valuable information regarding the enemy’s strength, disposition and armament. He then reorganized his platoon and assisted in directing the fire to repulse the enemy attack. The courage, fighting determination, and resourcefulness displayed by Technical Sergeant Singlestad set an inspiring example for his men and exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States, reflecting great credit upon himself, the 34th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.