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 Joe Tucker Rutherford (ASN: 37179228), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 357th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces near Koenigsmacher, France, on 12 November 1944. On that date, when Sergeant Rutherford’s squad was pinned down by heavy machine-gun fire during action near Koenigsmacher, France, he advanced alone to silence the enemy position. As he crawled forward he located and killed three enemy riflemen firing at his men from a truck; continued and killed two and captured four of the machine-gun crew. Then, locating three more of the enemy attempting to escape, he pinned them down with captured hand grenades until other friendly troops could eliminate them. Sergeant Rutherford’s conspicuous heroism, fearless determination and supreme devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 90th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.