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 Technician Fifth Grade Ray Skinner (ASN: 37107109), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with 85th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized), attached to the 5th Armored Division, in action against enemy forces in Germany, on 20 December 1944. During a 3-day fight on the Roer River, First Lieutenant Joseph B. Farrar and Technician Fifth Grade Ray Skinner, using only rifles and rifle grenades, killed more than 20 Germans each. Shooting for the most part from the basement window of a house which stood on a road the Germans were trying to force, the enlisted man and officer broke up five strong German attacks. They helped destroy a Panther tank and also knocked out a bazooka squad and a machine gun squad. Technician Fifth Grade Skinner’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 and the United States Army.