Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

2nd Lieutenant (Second-lieutenant)

Unit:

133rd Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division "Red Bull", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

1945

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sidney Goldstein, Second Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 133d Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 21 September 1944, near Santa Margherita, Italy. Lieutenant Goldstein was given the mission of taking an enemy held hill in the Gothic Line with a small force of 24 men. The first assault led by Lieutenant Goldstein was repulsed by heavy enemy small arms, machine gun and mortar fire, but reorganizing his force and forming a base of fire, he led 11 men in an assault to take the hill. Facing heavy enemy small arms and intense mortar fire, he and his men penetrated the enemy line through a small draw, assaulted one enemy dugout and captured four Germans. Continuing up the slope, Lieutenant Goldstein and two non-commissioned officers assaulted a second enemy dugout, capturing a German officer and two enlisted men. The German officer offered to surrender the remainder of his force upon condition that Lieutenant Goldstein accompany him to the forward slope of the hill. Fully aware of the risk, Lieutenant Goldstein accepted the offer and followed the German officer to the enemy position. There, two more German officers and approximately 40 enlisted men surrendered to Lieutenant Goldstein, who marched them over the hill to his assault force. When the German officer volunteered to lead him to other German positions, Lieutenant Goldstein again made his way to the forward slope of the hill and returned with 16 more prisoners to clear the enemy forces from the objective. Lieutenant Goldstein's bravery and aggressiveness in the face of heavy odds resulted in the capture of 67 Germans and affected a break-through in a sector of the strong enemy Gothic line. Second Lieutenant Goldstein'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 34th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

Headquarters, Fifth U.S. Army, General Orders No. 18 (1945).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Unit:

133rd Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division "Red Bull", U.S. Army