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 Staff Sergeant Alfred Caruthers Junkin (ASN: 13062694), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 307th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in the vicinity of Shuri, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 17 and 18 May 1945. Staff Sergeant Junkin was platoon sergeant and second-in-command of the First Platoon of Company C, which took a hill north of Shuri in a night bayonet assault. Intense enemy mortar, machine gun, and rifle fire swept their positions, and when the leader of the platoon was killed in the first few minutes of action, Staff Sergeant Junkin took command immediately. Despite being wounded twice, and despite being numerically inferior and having more and more casualties with no relief, Staff Sergeant Junkin inspired his men with his heroism under fire. He went from fox hot to fox hole encouraging his men, and demonstrated his tactical ability by placing a group of eleven men in such a manner as to hold off a vastly superior force. He crept through enemy positions to get the necessary ammunition to carry on the battle. At noon on the second day of holding his position, the remainder of the company advanced and relieved the remnants of his platoon. Staff Sergeant Junkin’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 77th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.