Carl E. Stalter

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Carl E. Stalter (6584741), Technician Fourth Grade, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 18th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, 14th Cavalry Group, 40th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 16 December 1944, in Belgium. When his mechanized troop was threatened by envelopment and its only evacuation route was blocked by an abandoned vehicle, Technician Fourth Grade Stalter voluntarily crawled over three hundred yards of terrain covered by fire from automatic weapons and machine guns to reach the vehicle. With great courage, he climbed within the truck and started the engine. Hostile troops concentrated intense fire upon him but he succeeded in moving the vehicle from the road and rejoined his unit. As the mechanized column began to withdraw along the road, a tank commander was wounded by 88-mm. gun fire. Technician Fourth Grade Stalter assumed command voluntarily and covered the withdrawal of the entire troop with devastating machine gun fire, inflicting heavy losses upon the enemy ranks. Technician Fourth Grade Stalter’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 40th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.