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 Private First Class Ervin B. Player (ASN: 14028726), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at Safi, French Morocco, on 8 November 1942. Landing on the beach, Private Player and two of his comrades scaled the 40-foot cliff in front of them to proceed to their assembly area. After reaching the top, they found a French machine gun crew working on a gun and took them captive. Working their way out of the first gun emplacement they had taken, Private Player and his comrades knocked out the battery of 75’s, took another machine gun nest, captured a barricaded house in which snipers had been hiding. In all six officers and 45 men were captured, and large stores of machine guns, rifles, pistols, grenades and ammunition was taken. Private First Class Player’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 9th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.