Angelo Cestoni, Jr.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Angelo Cestoni, Jr., Corporal [the Private First Class], U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 393d Infantry Regiment, 99th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 16 December 1944, in Belgium. When a strong enemy tank-infantry force overran a portion of his company’s front line position, Corporal Cestoni voluntarily crawled toward an emplacement from which two Germans were firing a captured machine gun upon friendly troops. Displaying great courage, he charged the gun position and killed the two enemy soldiers with pistol fire. Although he was twice wounded by fire from a column of tanks approaching his position, Corporal Cestoni, disregarding his painful wounds, fired a rocket into the lead tank, knocking it out of action and forcing the remaining tanks to withdraw. Corporal Cestoni’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 99th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.