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), [then First Lieutenant] John J. Dolan (ASN: 0-414882), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces during a successful attack on a vital bridge across the Merderet River in France, on 6 June 1944. When all Senior Officers in the Battalion were killed or wounded in the initial fighting for this bridge, Captain Dolan, at great personal risk, with remarkable coolness and courage organized the remnants of the Battalion into a defensive position on exposed heights overlooking the bridge and, against overwhelming odds repulsed two large scale enemy attacks. His personal courage and exemplary conduct were responsible for the successful accomplishment of the Battalion mission, and reflects great credit upon the Airborne Forces of the United States Army.