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 Sergeant Raymond Augustine Schroth (ASN: 1746136), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company E, 311th Infantry Regiment, 78th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Grand Pre, France, 1 November 1918. Sergeant Schroth was directed to lead an attack against an enemy machine-gun nest, which was impeding the progress of his company. Reaching a point within 50 feet of the stronghold, he ordered an attack, and sis Germans near the gun sought to surrender until they saw the strength of his force, now reduced through casualties to two or three men. The enemy was then reinforced by 20 men and launched a severe counterattack, which forced Sergeant Schroth to abandon his attack. After ordering his men to safety, he remained at his post alone, combating against the superior forces until he drove a prisoner back to our lines at the point of his empty pistol. Despite his desire to provide safety for his patrol he was the only survivor to return from the mission.