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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Ralph Augustine Kerley (ASN: 0-1297549), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at Hill 314 near Mortain, France, from 6 to 12 August 1944. On 6 August 1944, the battalion of which First Lieutenant Kerley was a member, was assigned the mission of holding the high ground around Mortain, and the town itself. During the night the battalion was hit by a strong and numerically superior enemy force and completely surrounded. The majority of the members of the battalion headquarters, situated in the town of Mortain, were eventually killed or captured with but a few managing to escape. First Lieutenant Kerley’s company was among those units isolated on Hill 314 by the sudden enemy thrust. He immediately assumed personal direction of every phase of the action of his company and performed heroically for the entire six days of isolation. He risked his life innumerable times checking and encouraging his men and though the enemy pressure was unrelenting, he displayed unsurpassed heroism. Face with the shortage in water, food and medical supplies, the situation at times becoming seemingly hopeless, First Lieutenant Kerley steadfastly refused when approached by the enemy with an offer of honorable surrender. Never once did he waver in his determination to hold out against almost certain defeat. Realizing the disaster should the enemy gain Hill 314, his personal courage and heroic example so inspired the men that they exerted their supreme effort to hold this strategic position at all costs. First Lieutenant Kerley’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 30th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.