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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Chester Vernon Rieke (ASN: 0-1295603), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in France, on 21 September 1944. On that date, Company F ran into heavy fighting at the small village of le Thillot. During the battle, Lieutenant Rieke, in a forward position with his men, saw one of the American soldiers fall wounded in the field of fire. Leaving his cover, Lieutenant Rieke ran to the wounded man and attempted to carry him to safety but was wounded himself by German rifle fire. He rose again, nevertheless, and still tried to save his comrade, but this time he was hit by shell fragments from a German tank. First Lieutenant Rieke’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, the 3d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.