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 Huntington Higby (ASN: 19203972), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as a squad leader with Company I, 3d Battalion, 319th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on the Siegfried Line near Wallendorf, Germany, on 13 February 1945. Private First Class Higby’s regiment was assigned to make an assault crossing of the Our River, against the prepared pillboxes of the Siegfried Line. The river was flooding and as a result it was impossible to give the regiment armored support. In spite of this, they crossed the river under heavy German artillery fire and worked their way through the pillboxes to the crest of hills on the opposite side. Private Higby led a squad of three men which captured an enemy pillbox. When his squad was subjected to a fierce enemy counterattack, this intrepid soldier, with dauntless courage, advancing alone toward the enemy, fired his Browning automatic rifle with such devastating effect that they were forced to withdraw. Later Private Higby was found face to the enemy, mortally wounded with his finger still on the trigger of his Browning automatic rifle. His indomitable fighting spirit and supreme devotion to duty will live on as an inspiration to the men with whom he fought. Private First Class Higby’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 80th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.