Mike Cermak

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Mike Cermak (32042930), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company E, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 23 November 1944, in Germany. On that date, Private Cermak’s company launched an attack against a strong enemy position near Schevenhuitte, Germany. When the enemy counterattacked, forcing the company to withdraw, Private Cermak, without thought of his own safety placed his machine gun in an exposed, strategic position determined to slow the enemy advance until his company could establish a new line. Despite intense fire concentrated against him he courageously held his post, manning his weapon with deadly accuracy. When his company resumed the advance they found him dead at the gun he had so valiantly defended. Private First Class Cermak’s heroism and courageous, unselfish 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 4th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.