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 (Infantry), [then Technical Sergeant] Dewitt Hotchkiss French, Jr., United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces when he led his platoon into an assault on the right flank of his rifle company, during its attack on a German strongpoint on 21 October 1944, in the vicinity of Mount Coresa, Italy. Lieutenant French’s platoon was pinned down by heavy fire from a concealed machine gun while attacking enemy-held houses on an Italian hill. Without hesitation Lieutenant French, then a platoon sergeant, boldly charged the enemy position firing a Tommy gun from the hip, in the face of enemy fire. He killed the two machine gunners manning the weapon and destroyed the gun. With all of his ammunition then expended, he picked up four German grenades and fully exposed to the rifle and automatic fire coming from the enemy-held buildings, he threw the grenades into the window of the nearest house, wounding three of the German occupants and taking six prisoners. Then, taking a machine pistol and ammunition from one of the prisoners, he continued to lead his platoon which had advanced and cleared the rest of the buildings, inflicting many casualties, and drove the remainder of the enemy from the hill. First Lieutenant French’s extraordinary heroism, 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.