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 Corporal Richard Stephen Butterfield (ASN: 20721319), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as a Medical Aidman with the 1st Battalion, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 21 July 1944 at St. Lo, Normandy, France. On 21 July 1944 the 1st Battalion, 134th Infantry was occupying the town of St. Lo, Normandy, France, with the Battalion Command Post located in a cemetery. The Medical Detachment, 1st Battalion, was situated in a mill at the north-east outskirts of town. At approximately 1400, while and ambulance was being loaded adjacent to the mill, several enemy howitzer shells hit the mill and the area around the ambulance. At that particular time, Corporal Butterfield, Medical Non-Commissioned Officer, was engaged in loading a shell concussion victim into the ambulance. He threw himself over the patient holding him down and protecting him with his own body. Corporal Butterfield’s gallant action; his unselfish zeal in protecting a patient, above and beyond the call of duty, resulted in the patient receiving merely some shell fragment wounds, enabling his being evacuated in good condition. Corporal Butterfield, however, as a result of his action, had his right leg blown off and the left leg badly fractured. The splendid bravery Corporal Butterfield, his utter disregard for his own safety, merits the emblazoning of his name in the annals of the Medical Corps. His 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 35th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.