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 Sergeant Alexander Albert Drabik (ASN: 35345618), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the Third Platoon of Company A, 27th Armored Infantry Battalion, 9th Armored Division, in action against enemy forces on 7 March 1945 in Germany. Upon reaching the Ludendorf railroad bridge crossing the Rhine River, Sergeant Drabik, aware that the bridge was prepared for demolition, and in the face of heavy machine gun, small arms, and direct 20-mm. gunfire, began a hazardous trip across the span. Although artillery shells and two explosions rocked the bridge, he continued his advance. Upon reaching the bridge towers on the far side, he cleared them of snipers and demolition crews. Still braving the intense machine gun and shell fire, he reached the eastern side of the river where he eliminated hostile snipers and gun crews from along the bank and on the face of the bluff overlooking the river. By his outstanding heroism and unflinching valor, Sergeant Drabik, contributed materially to the establishment of the first bridgehead across the Rhine River.