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 Richard Elliott Drury (ASN: 32140887), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, while serving with Company H, 1st Ranger Battalion (Separate), in action against enemy forces on 24 March 1943, on Djebel Berda near El Guettar, Tunisia. When a strong enemy force attacked in the sector of Company H, Privates Silas H. Parker and Richard E. Drury, together with others of their squad from the mortar platoon, turned their 81-mm. mortar on the enemy, shelled his positions and destroyed a machine gun. Almost immediately afterward, enemy artillery located the mortars and fired initial concentrations while an enemy tank moved to the flank, occupying a position where it could fire directly into the mortar emplacement. While nearby crews sought cover from the intense artillery fire, Privates Parker and Drury, with their Corporal, continued to fire their weapon. A direct hit from the tank’s gun struck the position, felling the mortar and hurling the crew to the ground. With complete disregard for their own safety, they righted the weapon and resumed fire, destroying another machine gun. A second direct hit killed the Corporal. Still they remained at the gun, firing the mortar until it was too badly damaged to operate. Their coolness under fire and devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon themselves, their unit, and the United States Army.