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 Captain (Infantry) Theodore Crouch (ASN: 0-1298669), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving As Commanding Officer of Company B, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at Mindanao, Philippine Islands, on 23 May and 2 and 7 June 1945. On 23 May 1945, when the advance of his company was halted by heavy fire from at least eight enemy pillboxes with interlocking trenches near Mintal, Captain Crouch stood in the road with complete disregard for his own safety, in order to direct fire against the enemy emplacements. Although intense enemy automatic fire struck down the men next to him, he located the enemy positions and then, crossing the fire-swept road, organized the attack and led the assault which reduced the hostile force and killed 30 of the enemy. On 2 June 1945, when sweeping enemy fire from ten pillboxes with connecting trenches halted his company near Alambre, Captain Crouch called for a self-propelled mount and led it forward, directing its fire against the enemy. When the mount ran out of ammunition, he called another forward and again, exposing himself to enemy fire, directed fire and observed the effects on the foe, and then led the attack which destroyed the enemy and revealed 40 enemy dead. On 7 June 1945, near Tagakpan, the enemy launched a surprise attack against the 1st Battalion which threatened to disorganize its position. Captain Crouch moved forward towards the outposts, who were withdrawing, and ignored the raking enemy fire and rallied the men and successfully repulsed the enemy assault. He was struck and fatally wounded by a burst of fire from a hostile machine gun, but as he lay in the road he continued his skillful direction of the defense until he was evacuated. Through his fearless, inspiring battlefield leadership and heroic devotion to duty, regardless of his own safety, Captain Crouch made a material contribution to the success of the 21st Infantry Regiment in Mindanao and upheld the finest traditions of the military service.

Captain Crouch’s outstanding leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 24th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.