(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Claude Kenneth Ramsdail (ASN: 6643753), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 314th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at the Meurthe River in the vicinity of Frambois, France, on 22 September 1944. After arranging hand signals with a tank destroyer crew, Private Ramsdail obtained first-hand information about the enemy’s strength and guns around the Meurthe River defensive line. With his M-1, he started down the hill, but was spotted immediately and subjected to heavy fire from German machine gunners and snipers. When he reached the river’s edge, snipers in a farmhouse took him under fire. Private Ramsdail fired two quick shots in their direction and then began wading the stream with his rifle over his head. Enemy mortars opened fire and he took cover behind a German tank destroyer that was stalled in mid-stream. When the enemy fire lessened, he pushed on, spotting a camouflaged tank and wigwagged the tank destroyer, destroying it. He then discovered a machine gun emplacement 25 yards away, and fired a clip at it before signaling his artillery observer. While he was reloading, another machinegun on his right opened fire with .50-caliber slugs, hitting him in the upper right leg and his left arm at the shoulder. Regaining his feet, he remained under water as much as he could until the artillery observer took the machine gun under fire. Bleeding profusely, he dragged himself back to the ford and into cover. Even as he was evacuated, his battalion stormed the Meurthe River and the woods beyond. Three dead snipers were found in the machinegun emplacement he had fired on, and 43 prisoners were taken in the farmhouse. The artillery observer estimated that Private Ramsdail’s signals had accounted for at least 50 enemy casualties. Private Ramsdail’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.