The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Malcolm Edward Lott (ASN: 38052471), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Troop F, 2d Squadron, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, in action against enemy forces near Caibaan, Leyte, Philippine Islands, on 20 October 1944. Private Lott was a member of a reconnoitering patrol which was making its way through deep swamps and rice paddies toward Caibaan, seeking to discover routes for a regimental advance. He and the patrol sergeant, who were ahead of the main body, encountered an enemy force and immediately opened fire. During this engagement Private Lott was seriously wounded in the jaw, but courageously remained in combat rather than seek cover or medical aid or wait for help. He continued to fire into the enemy with his automatic rifle until fatally wounded, and by the time the rest of the patrol was in a position to give assistance, he and the sergeant had killed nine of the enemy and forced the remainder to disperse. Through his outstanding heroism in the face of grave danger as the cost of his life, Private Lott enabled the patrol to complete its mission successfully, and his courageous conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States, reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Army. Great credit upon himself and the United States Army.