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 Second Lieutenant (Corps of Engineers) James Charles Muth (ASN: 0-1110149), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, in action against enemy forces at Licata, Sicily, on 10 July 1943. When his landing craft was beached in rough and deep water, he swam ashore with full field equipment under heavy enemy fire. He returned to the water at the risk of his own life and rescued two soldiers and one sailor, who, without help, would have drowned. Then Second Lieutenant Muth crawled up a forty foot cliff bordering the beach and towards a concrete emplaced enemy machine gun which was firing upon him and the troops on the beach. When within a few yards of the nest he fired into it and forced the enemy to surrender. The machine gun nest contained twelve Italians and two Germans. With utter disregard for his own life, he acted above and beyond the call of duty and thus saved the lives of many men. Second Lieutenant Muth’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 and the United States Army.