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 First Class Richard James Gallagher (ASN: 32899808), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at Normandy, France, on 6 June 1944. While his company was still pinned down by the heavy enemy fire, Private First Class Gallagher left his partially protected position and advanced across a minefield toward the enemy emplacements. Undeterred by the intense enemy fire, he continued up a slope toward a machine gun nest which had been inflicting heavy casualties on his company. Using hand grenades and his rifle, Private First Class Gallagher wiped out the machine gun emplacement. He then returned to the beach and led part of his company through the minefield. Once more he moved up the slope of the hill to the top. Here, he discovered an enemy machine gun in a wooded area. Private First Class Gallagher, not only captured the man who had been firing the machine gun, but also captured an enemy rifleman who was sniping from the cliff. The tenacity of purpose, skill and personal bravery demonstrated by Private First Class Gallagher exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.