Charles F. Cymerys

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Charles F. Cymerys (31021808), Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces on 10 July 1943, in Sicily. With utter disregard for his own safety, Corporal Cymerys, who was second in command of a rifle squad, crawled to his unit’s equipment bundle to secure automatic weapons needed in the attack on enemy positions. In the face of heavy enemy machine gun and rifle fire he secured the weapons, but was wounded in doing so. Despite his wounds he crawled 150 yards toward the position where the enemy was hiding and threw hand grenades, killing two of the enemy and forcing the others to abandon their position. This heroic act enabled his squad to procure its equipment and organize for an attack. Corporal Cymerys later succumbed to the wounds he received during this gallant action. His intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 82d Airborne Division, and the United States Army.