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 James R. Holland (ASN: 14034080), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with 6th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized) (Separate), in action against enemy forces on 3 December 1944. On that date, at tank platoon of the 6th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron attempted a reconnaissance in force of Carling, France. When the platoon encountered a road block, the leader’s tank received a direct hit from enemy artillery fire and the crew of the tank in which Private Holland was riding were forced to take cover in a nearby pill box. Disregarding his own safety Private Holland courageously assisted a wounded member of his platoon leader’s tank to cover and then returning under fire to his tank, dismounted a .30 caliber light machine-gun and fought his way to the pill box where other members of the crew had taken cover, firing the machine-gun from his hip. Reaching the pill box, he covered the crew with machine-gun fire while they took another position and then, still firing the gun, he fearlessly moved to his platoon leader’s disabled tank to assist the remaining members to safety. Upon discovering that they were dead, Private Holland, still firing his gun, withdrew to cover. Later in the day he again distinguished himself by boldly recovering a partially disabled tank under fire. The intrepid courage of Private Holland, his conspicuous heroism and supreme devotion to duty, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States.