(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Sergeant Sylvan W. Griffith (ASN: 18231292), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with 3d Reconnaissance Troop (Mechanized), 3d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at St. Die, France, on 20 October 1944. Sergeant Griffith’s eight-man reconnaissance patrol was ambushed on exposed ground by a cordon of enemy fire. Sergeant Griffith braved withering enemy fire to assault two German machine guns single-handed. Dazed by a bullet that glanced off his helmet, he dashed 250 yards into blistering fire, opened up with his machine gun as he closed in, and administered the coup de grace with hand grenades at 15 yards, killing eight and wounding two Germans and destroying two machine guns, therefore blasting an escape corridor for his trapped patrol. Sergeant Griffith’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.