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 Ralph D. Baker, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 135th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 1 June 1944, in the vicinity of Castleleone, Italy. Private Baker’s platoon made an assault against strong enemy positions. Friendly tanks preceding the attack had been knocked out of action by enemy anti-tank guns near the platoon’s objective. Upon reaching the objective, one squad met enemy fire which caused four casualties, and Private Baker’s squad withdrew to a shallow ditch behind a house. From this position the enemy personnel could be seen within the building. Private Baker and a companion voluntarily left their position of safety, crawled to the house, captured the Germans and forced them to leave the building. Seeing other Germans in an adjacent house, Private Baker and his comrade crossed the yard and took six prisoners. Private Baker and his comrade then proceeded across the highway to a third house. They opened fire on the enemy, who immediately took cover in a cellar. When the enemy refused to surrender Private Baker and his companion approached the wine cellar and rolled a hand grenade into the enemy position. A few seconds later eleven Germans surrendered. Proceeding forward, they next discovered two anti-tank guns located in another house, but as they prepared to neutralize the weapons, a barrage of American artillery forced them to return to friendly lines. The position of the two German guns was given to the tankmen who destroyed the house to bury the weapons. Private Baker’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, the 34th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.