The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Lewis Alexander Reihm (ASN: 33383234), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company D, 1st Battalion, 305th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 27 March 1945, at Asa Town, Zamani Shima, Ryukyu Islands. Private Reihm was an ammunition bearer in a heavy machine gun squad on the left flank of the company position. His company, supported by a heavy machine gun platoon and a mortar section, had established a defensive position for the night on high ground above the town. At about 2 o’clock on the morning of 27 March 1945, forty saber-swinging, grenade-throwing Japanese soldiers attempted to rush his gun position. Private Reihm, exposing himself to a fanatical enemy, assisted the squad in repelling the attack and with his pistol killed one of the attackers. A few minutes later the enemy again rushed forward and succeeded in reaching the gun position. Again the machine gun squad repelled the attack in a bloody hand-to-hand combat. Two members of the squad were killed and all others, including Private Reihm, were wounded. Only Private Reihm and three other wounded men remained. He determined to hold the position regardless of his own wound and those of his remaining comrades. A third time the enemy rushed them. Private Reihm manned the machine gun and continued firing until the enemy was too close for it to be effective. Leaping in front of his wounded companions he fired his pistol into the enemy at point blank range until his ammunition was exhausted, then using his pistol as a club, and with what little assistance the other wounded men could render, a third time he drove the enemy back. Two of the wounded men were evacuated and Private Reihm sent his sole companion for assistance; he meanwhile manned the gun alone. When four men from another machine gun section arrived, Private Reihm retained command, placed them in position and with their assistance drove off two more counterattacks in bitter hand-to-hand fighting. The enemy attacked a sixth and last time and was again beaten off. During the final attack, Private Reihm was killed by an enemy grenade. At daylight, twenty dead Japanese soldiers were found lying in and around the gun position. Private Reihm’s extraordinary heroism in stubbornly refusing to abandon the gun position although wounded and faced with overwhelming odds; his grim determination to hold his position whatever might come, so inspired his comrades that in spite of wounds and the repeated counterattacks of a determined and frantic enemy, the position was held and the Japanese were prevented from overrunning the position of Company C. Private First Class Reihm’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.