(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Private James Dougal McRacken (ASN: 34851595), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company A, 315th Engineer Combat Battalion, 90th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces near Mayenne, France, on 5 August 1944. On that date the 315th Engineer Combat Battalion was positioned on a hill overlooking the small French town of Mayenne. A local citizen warned the Engineers that the Germans had rigged Mayenne’s only bridge with explosives, and that if it was destroyed it would drastically slow the Allied advance on Paris. As the Engineers fought their way into the town, heavy volumes of German small arms, machine gun, and artillery slowed their advance. Knowing that the Germans would detonate the explosives at any moment, Private McRacken sprinted 500 yards under heavy fire to the bridge. Although his body was shattered by the enemy fire, he continued forward until he found the main control wire for the explosive charges, cut the wires, and then fell dead on the ancient stone bridge. Private McRacken’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.