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) Henry Francis Rouse (ASN: 0-405512), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment (Separate), FIFTH U.S. Army, in action against enemy forces near Venafro, Italy, on 11 November 1943. During an attack against a heavily-fortified enemy position on Mount Croce, First Lieutenant Rouse, although not a member of the attacking echelon, volunteered to precede his company, undertaking the perilous job of clearing mines from the route of advance. He advanced forward with two enlisted men and successfully accomplished his dangerous mission despite intense enemy machine gun and artillery fire. His action enabled his company to continue the attack. Under continual fire, First Lieutenant Rouse and his assistants then advanced to the top of Mount Croce, where they observed an enemy machine gun holding up the advance of the main body. He led the two men through machine gun, sniper and artillery fire and assaulted the enemy position, killing the crew and destroying the gun. While attempting to neutralize a second machine gun which had been firing nearby, First Lieutenant Rouse was seriously wounded. His courageous actions won profound admiration from the members of his company and reflect the finest traditions of the Armed Forces.