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 Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Ernest DeWayne Jessup (ASN: 0-354716), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment, 33d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces near Baguio, Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 21 April 1945. Lieutenant Colonel Jessup was the commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, 130th Infantry, during the successful attack against Hill “K”. Colonel Jessup, although seriously wounded in the chest, the left arm and both legs by intense enemy machine gun and mortar fire, continued, without concern for his own personal safety, to direct the brilliantly conceived flanking operations necessary to reduce a strategically located enemy strong-point and thus insure the safety of a large number of the officers and men in his command. Even while enduring great pain he refused to be moved from his exposed position on a ridge trail to a position of safety, as to do so would have risked the lives of those about him, He continued to give orders which led to the eventual capture of the objective. His courage, his resourcefulness and his aggressive leadership were continual sources of inspiration to the members of his battalion and were responsible to a large measure for the successful accomplishment of its various missions. Lieutenant Colonel Jessup’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 33d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.