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 Sergeant John Alvin Rich, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 3d Company, 3d Regiment, First Special Service Force, in action against enemy forces on the night of 7 January 1944, at Mount Majo, Italy. While moving on the left flank of a patrol leading the attack of his company against an enemy-occupied hill of the Mount Majo group, Sergeant Rich and another soldier were pinned down by the fire of two machine guns about twenty-five yards to their front. Without support, acting on their own initiative, the two men each selected a machine gun and moved forward to silence it. Crawling forward to a position near the right of the two guns, Sergeant Rich raised himself and fired a burst from his submachine gun at the two enemy gunners. His gun having jammed after this burst, he drew his pistol, leaped into the gun pit, and seized one of the gunners. Sergeant Rich’s companion aided in the capture of an enemy soldier who had been acting as flank guard for the two machine guns. Sergeant Rich’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.