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 Captain (Infantry) Lloyd Edwin Patch (ASN: 0-364576), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer, Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces at Normandy, France, on 6 June 1944. Captain Patch assembled a group of sixty parachutists from a number of different regiments into an organized fighting unit and led them in an attack against Ste Marine Du Mont. Encountering heavy enemy resistance in the form of a battery of 105-mm. guns, he led successful assaults against these gun positions. As he moved closer to Ste Marine Du Mont extremely intense enemy automatic weapons fire halted the advance. Captain Patch then directed his men back to the captured enemy gun positions, reversed the guns and placed short range direct artillery fire on the enemy positions in the town. This fire was so effective that it completely disorganized the enemy and made possible the capture of the town. The courage and outstanding leadership displayed by Captain Patch exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 101st Airborne Division, and the United States Army.