The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Staff Sergeant Yoshimi Richard Fujiwara (ASN: 30104334), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 36th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 20 October 1944, in the vicinity of Bruyeres, France. In attempting to flank an enemy strongpoint defended by three machine gun sections and other automatic weapons, the platoon in which Staff Sergeant Fujiwara was a squad leader was pinned down and virtually surrounded in a long narrow strip of undergrowth which offered concealment but no cover. Having engaged the enemy in a fire fight, the platoon found itself further menaced by machine gun and shell fire from an approaching force of two Mark IV tanks, supported by two columns of fifty enemy troops. Realizing that drastic action was necessary to avert the complete annihilation of the platoon, Sergeant Fujiwara climbed a slight knoll in the area and attempted with anti-tank grenades to halt the tanks’ progress. Finding that this fire was ineffective, he ordered the bazooka team to relinquish its weapon to him. Aware that the flash from the bazooka would reveal his position, he took deliberate aim at the leading tank and fired, scoring a partial hit. The tank, though temporarily slowed, continued its advance and raked his position with return fire from its machine gun. Racing against time and ignoring the enemy’s awareness of his location, he continued to expose himself to the ever approaching tanks until he succeeded, with his fifth attempt, in putting one out of action. Upon seeing this, the second Mark IV rapidly withdrew, followed by its accompanying troops. Sergeant Fujiwara’s fearlessness, cool-handed aggressiveness and consideration for the lives and safety of his comrades at the risk of his own life exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 36th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.