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 Staff Sergeant [then Private First Class] Patsy Charles Retort (ASN: 13085427), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with an Infantry Company of the 311th Infantry Regiment, 78th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 9 March 1945, in Germany. When his company’s advance was halted by concentrated fire from hostile machine guns, Staff Sergeant Retort unhesitatingly advanced toward the hostile positions, and, firing his own machine gun from the hip, killed or wounded approximately thirty Germans. He brought such effective fire upon the enemy that their fire was neutralized and the leading elements of his company were able to continue forward with a minimum of resistance to successfully take the objective. Staff Sergeant Retort’s quick decision and aggressive action against a strongly fortified position saved the lives of many of the men of his company, thus reflecting the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.