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 Technical Sergeant Calvin Lewis Ellis (ASN: 6892887), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at Normandy, France, on 6 June 1944. Voluntarily assuming command after his platoon leader had been seriously wounded on D-Day, Technical Sergeant Ellis, while under heavy fire, waded far out into the fire-swept surf on numerous occasions to rescue wounded comrades. Although Technical Sergeant Ellis was himself severely wounded, he courageously led his men across the beach and through a barbed wire fence to join a section of his company which had made an initial break-through. Reaching the company’s right flank, his section was pinned down by well-aimed sniper fire from concealed positions. Undaunted and with an indomitable fighting spirit, Technical Sergeant Ellis personally assaulted and killed three dug-in Germans and repeatedly led his section in successfully attacking groups of infiltrating enemy. By his outstanding leadership and heroic effort, Technical Sergeant Ellis acted in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.



