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 Private First Class Ralph F. Darragh (ASN: 42142537), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 361st Infantry Regiment, 91st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in Italy, on 18 April 1945. Private Darragh’s company was attacking the Germans near Guzzano, Italy, when intense German machine gun, mortar and sniper fire forced the men to hug the ground in barren terrain. His platoon was on the right flank, high on open ground, and were being subjected to intense fire from three sides. With enemy fire increasing, Private Darragh crawled through a heavily shelled area in the face of grazing machine gun and rifle fire to a position near the enemy machine guns. Although the hostile gunners directed a withering stream of fire at him, this soldier refused to withdraw. Instead, he leaped up and quickly threw three hand grenades into the machine gun positions, knocking out two guns and killing two of the German gun crews. The enemy then launched a counterattack under cover of heavy mortar and machine gun fire, which forced Private Darragh’s company to withdraw temporarily. Disregarding his own safety, he remained in position and continued to fire t the onrushing enemy until he ran out of rifle ammunition. He then picked up a sub-machine gun and crawled to a more advantageous position and fired into the attackers as enemy bullets stuck all around him. He was wounded by sniper fire, yet refused to seek cover or aid. Instead he poured a heavy volume of fire into the enemy, killing five and wounding several more. Another strong force of Germans again assaulted his position, and again, he expended all his ammunition. Although weak from his sever wound, Private Darragh charged the remaining machine gun position. It was as he was rushing headlong into the face of enemy fire that was hit squarely by a burst of artillery fire from another nearby German position and was killed. Private First Class Darragh’s extraordinary heroism, 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 91st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.