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 Sergeant Alois J. Mand (ASN: 16007027), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 30 April 1945, at Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands. While his platoon was preparing to advance, the enemy launched a desperate counterattack, the brunt of which fell upon the attached machine gun section, of which Sergeant Mand was a squad leader. During the action the section leader was killed, a gunner and assistant gunner were wounded and one of the machine guns was put out of action by enemy fire. The rifle platoon leader and a majority of his riflemen also became casualties. Sergeant Mand, although himself wounded, realized the seriousness of the situation and immediately assumed command. Unaided, he attempted to place effective fire on the enemy with the one remaining machine gun, but was denied its use by murderous enemy mortar, machine gun, and rifle fire. The Japanese tried to destroy his machine gun infiltrating the position but Sergeant Mand, through his alert action, killed the eight enemy infiltrators with carbine fire. After firing all of his carbine ammunition, Sergeant Mand recovered a BAR. from a wounded comrade and fought the enemy until the BAR. jammed. Suddenly an enemy light machine gun opened up from a position 50 yards to the front of his position. Sergeant Mand then reorganized the remainder of the section and with the few remaining riflemen continued to hold off the foe while the wounded were being evacuated and until a support platoon arrived to help secure the hill. This outstanding display of individual courage and devotion to duty on the part of Sergeant Mand was in a large part instrumental in stopping a strong enemy counterattack. His personal valor and determination, and zealous devotion to duty, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.