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 Private First Class Earl Gaston Goins (ASN: 34311650), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as an Automatic Rifleman with Company E, 2d Battalion, 317th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in France, on 20 August 1944 and 26 September 1944. When his company was halted by strong enemy fire from a concealed position on Hill 244 northeast of Argentan, France, Private First Class Goins single-handed and with disregard for his own personal safety attacked the German nest with a suddenness and accuracy matched only by the total destruction of the enemy position. Again, his platoon ambushed by Germans on a return from a forward observation post, Private First Class Goins walked straight into the enemy, firing his 22-pound rifle from his shoulder, killing at least one enemy machine gunner and routing the rest. At Miovrons, France, on 26 September 1944, his squad, advancing on the town in the wake of a tank unit, walked into intense enemy fire. Several tanks were mired in the mud and the battle halted, Private First Class Goins and his squad, bearing the weight of several machineguns. Without hesitation, Private First Class Goins again walked upright against odds, killing at least seven Germans. Private First Class Goins’ 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 30th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.