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 First Lieutenant (Corps of Engineers) Ralph Walter Zimmer (ASN: 0-1105949), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company C, *** Engineer Regiment, SIXTH U.S. Army, in action against enemy forces near Olivetta, France, on the night of 7 – 8 November 1944. In charge of a rescue party to locate four mine casualties of a lost patrol, Lieutenant Zimmer penetrated deep into heavily mined enemy territory, made doubly hazardous by cleverly concealed booby traps. Despite audible calls for help from the casualties, their location was very difficult to determine because of the mountain masses. Forced to return to the Regimental command post after locating and evacuating one of the wounded, Lieutenant Zimmer organized another patrol and set out again. Preceding his men and clearing the mines and booby traps from their path with his bare hands, Lieutenant Zimmer established voice contact with the remaining casualties, until a definite direction was established. While thus engaged the rescue party was overheard by the enemy, resulting in fire concentrations of artillery into the area. Despite this added hazard Lieutenant Zimmer continued to maintain voice contact until the remaining casualties were located, the nearby mines removed, and the evacuation accomplished. By his outstanding courage and highly skilled handling of an exceedingly hazardous mission, Lieutenant Zimmer reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army.