The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Captain (Infantry) Harry J. Cummings (ASN: 0-366428), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Service Company, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces approximately 300 yards offshore, Southeast of ***, Sicily, on 11 July 1943. Captain Cummings accompanied a fellow officer with a serial of his regiment in a transport plane, which crashed off shore, and while rapidly filling with water, was under continuous heavy machine gun fire. Captain Cummings freed himself and was in the plane door prepared to leave when he saw that his fellow officer was wounded and unable to free himself from his main and reserve parachute and full combat equipment. Captain Cummings returned and assisted the officer, enabling him to leave the plane, but was himself mortally wounded by machine gun fire. Captain Cummings’ courageously and selflessly saved the life of a comrade, reflecting the finest traditions of the military service. His action has been an inspiration to his regiment.