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 Edward Henry Patterson (ASN: 12082140), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 255th Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces near Habkirchen, Germany, on 17 February 1945. As a member of a patrol crossing the Blies River, Staff Sergeant Patterson single-handedly charged and knocked out two enemy machine gun positions, killing one and capturing six of the enemy. Shortly afterwards, he stepped on a mine that severed his right leg and caused him to fall on another mine that severed his right arm. Rather than have his comrades risk their lives to rescue him, Staff Sergeant Patterson crawled unaided from the mine field. His extreme courage and regard for his fellow soldiers were in standing with the finest military ideals and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.