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 Wilson Berket Rhodes (ASN: 333811312), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company C, 778th Tank Battalion (Separate), attached to the 95th Infantry Division. On 15 November 1944, Sergeant Rhodes led his tank section against the enemy-held village of Maizieres-Les-Metz, France. In order to guide his own tank along the narrow streets of the village and to direct the fire of his 75-mm. he fearlessly exposed himself in the turret to enemy fire. When a 75-mm. shell stuck in the chamber of the gun, Sergeant Rhodes calmly dismounted from the tank and although under intense enemy fire dislodged the projectile with a rammer staff. He then remounted the tank and resumed his mission, and while firing his gun suffered a broken arm from the recoil. Refusing to leave the tank, he bravely continued in action, killing and capturing many of the enemy, until after five hours he finally lost consciousness from the pain of his injury. Sergeant Rhodes’ heroic devotion to duty, his determination and inspiring leadership exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States.