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 Jimmy Pruitt (ASN: 39592635), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 167th Infantry Regiment, 31st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces along the Villa Verde Trail, Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 24 May 1945. During the bitter campaign which culminated in the clearing of Japanese forces from Luzon, Pi, Company L, 167th Infantry Regiment was holding a strategic hill position along the Villa Verde Trail and Private Pruitt, who was on guard, heard strange noises emanating from an unknown source to the front of the position. When relieved of the post by one of his companions, he informed the new sentry of the approximate position of the disturbance and warned him to be especially watchful. A few minutes later, a grenade, thrown by a member of a Japanese infiltration squad, hit one of his comrades on the arm and landed in the emplacement. Private Pruitt, who was not yet asleep, heard the grenade fall in the pillbox. Although there was still sufficient time for him to escape through the rear entrance of the position, he got up and quickly found he deadly charge which was lying beside his three now wide awake comrades. Rather than throw it and take the chance of missing the two-man firing slit and having the grenade explode within the pillbox, he lunged for the aperture, attempting to thrust the missile from the emplacement. The grenade which exploded before he reached the firing slit, severed his right hand. Through his outstanding heroism and unremitting concern for the welfare of those about him, Private Pruitt saved his comrades from serious. His 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.