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 Lieutenant (Corps of Engineers) Hugh Barbee Mott (ASN: 0-1056820), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer of 2d Platoon, Company B, 9th Armored Engineer Combat Battalion, in action against enemy forces on 7 March 1945, in Germany. When the vehicle in which he was riding reached the Ludendorf railroad bridge across the Rhine River, First Lieutenant Mott dismounted and approached the structure on foot. Although the bridge was rocked by demolition charges, and intense sniper, machine gun, and 20-mm. gun fire was directed upon him, he moved along the entire length of the bridge, cutting wires leading to further demolitions. By his unhesitating action and cool courage, First Lieutenant Mott prevented the immediate destruction of the bridge and enabled FIRST Army to establish a bridgehead on the east bank of the Rhine River, thus reflecting the highest credit upon himself and the military service.