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 Herbert H. Witte (ASN: 37034946), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 164th Infantry Regiment, 23d Infantry Division (Americal), in action against enemy forces during the Battle of the Matanikau River, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 2 December 1942. As a member of a patrol, Private Witte had worked his way about 100 yards into enemy territory, which was interspersed with steep coral ridges and dense jungle growth, when the group became ambushed. On orders of the leader, the patrol separated and made their way back to their lines. Private First Class Witte, however, with total disregard for his own safety, remained under fire to assist a fatally wounded soldier back to safety until he, himself, collapsed from exhaustion. By the time he was able to proceed his comrade was dead, whereupon Private First Class Witte concealed the body and returned to his unit. The next day, he guided another patrol to the area and the dead man’s rifle and identifications were recovered but it was impossible to remove the body, due to heavy enemy fire. Private First Class Witte’s extraordinary heroism and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 23d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.