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 Raymond S. Holsti (ASN: 37555613), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company G, 3d Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces on 21 December 1944, one-half mile south of Choneux, Belgium. As a machine gunner, Private First Class Holsti was dug in position on the far left flank of his company’s defense line protecting the its link with Company C to its left. At approximately 0800 hours, the enemy mounted a determined attach with at least of company of infantry supported by two flak wagons and artillery. Private First Class Holsti, seeing the casualties being caused by the fire from the 20-mm. cannons on the vehicles, immediately placed all the fire possible from his light machine gun upon the advancing vehicles. In consequence, the flak wagons focused their firepower on the harassing gun position. Private First Class Holsti was seriously wounded several times. Despite these wounds, he continued to fire effectively at the vehicles, until bazooka men were able to get into a firing position from which they were able to knock out one vehicle and force the other to withdraw. Seeing their supporting armor eliminated, the enemy infantry broke off the attack. Private First Class Holsti continued to fire unassisted at the retreating infantry until he collapsed in his hole from great loss of blood. As a result of Private First Class Holsti’s unsurpassed courage and unswerving devotion to duty, a serious threat to his company’s whole defensive perimeter was eliminated. His actions were an inspiration to all who witnessed them and are typical of the highest standards of the Airborne Forces.