Max Heller

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Max Heller, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company K, 20th Infantry Regiment, 6th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 21 March 1945, in the Philippine Islands. In the middle of a pitched battle, facing Japanese machine guns, Sergeant Heller left his foxhole to repair a disconnected communications line to the mortar in the rear. He reconnected the line, and as he stood up, he drew fire and found the location of the machine gunners. Heller called in the coordinates to the mortar men in the rear. Sergeant Heller’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 6th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.