Bernard Michin

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Bernard Michin (31446424), Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 158th Engineer Combat Battalion in action against enemy forces on 18 December 1944, in Belgium. In the direct line of advance of an enemy tank and subjected to heavy mortar, small arms and tank fire, Private Michin, armed with a rocket launcher, courageously withheld his fire until the tank reached a point approximately ten yards away. At great personal risk, he fired a rocket, scored a direct hit and completely destroyed the tank. Suffering painful burns and temporarily blinded by the flash of an exploding projectile, he crawled back to a covered position. Meanwhile, the Germans infiltrated to within a few feet of him, mounted a machine gun and fired upon his comrades nearby. Unable to see the weapon, he determined its location by sound and, with complete disregard for his own safety, hurled a hand grenade which silenced the gun and killed the entire crew. Suffering excruciating pain, he staggered through intense enemy fire to rejoin his squad. By his heroic achievement, fearless courage and unflinching devotion to duty, Private Michin exemplified the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflected great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.