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 First Class Otto Charles Schwichtenberg (ASN: 36229122), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 145th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at Bougainville, Solomon Islands, from 9 to 12 March 1944. During the battle for Hill 700, Private First Class Schwichtenberg volunteered as a truck driver, and stayed on the job carrying ammunition to the front, and evacuating wounded to the rear until he was o near collapse that is officers ordered him from the field of battle. By the evening of 10 March the advanced mortar position was low on ammunition, and enemy fire had increased so much it was impossible to get an open truck through the road. Private First Class Schwichtenberg was undaunted; he appealed to a tank battalion and borrowed a half-track reconnaissance car. Driving it himself, he made dashes across the deadly 150 yards carrying ammunition forward and returning with the wounded. His example inspired others and eventually a number of half-tracks followed, however, many men were wounded at the forward ammunition dump, and other casualties were being hit on the return trip. Private First Class Schwichtenberg went to a Naval Construction Battalion and enlisted their aid in cutting armor from a salvaged amphibious tank and on the spot, designed a protective armor plate over the rear of his half-track. Thus sheltered, the cargo of wounded came safely through the gauntlet of fire. Throughout the battle, Private First Class Schwichtenberg worked continuously, sleeping only when the ammunition supply was sufficient. When other half-track drivers were exhausted, he took their places and when gunners could not be found to man the guns of the vehicles, he volunteered. On one occasion during the battle of 11 March, a number of wounded were hit while being evacuated, by an enemy machine gun. Private First Class Schwichtenberg deliberately drove his vehicle into the field of fire and stopped. Five times from 6 p.m. on 9 March to 3 a.m. on 10 March he made the trip. On each occasion when his motor was heard, the Japanese concentrated on his route and fired mortars and hurled hand grenades toward the forward ammunition dump where he loaded his truck. On the return trip he administered first aid, comforted and loaded wounded men who required immediate hospitalization, and again successfully ran the barrage. On 10 March he was driving to the forward positions when he saw a man shot in the back and clinging to a rock cliff 30 feet above him. The enemy was 75 yards away sniping at him, but Private First Class Schwichtenberg stopped his half-track, dismounted and tried to climb a vine to the rock cliff to assist the wounded men who had not the strength to descend. The vine broke, and he tumbled to the ground, whereupon he drove his vehicle to the base of the cliff under the wounded soldier and instructed him to slide down by grabbing roots and rocks. The man tried but slipped when half-way down. Private First Class Schwichtenberg sprang under the falling man and cushioned the soldier’s fall with his own body, being knocked breathless by the impact. By 6 a.m. on 12 March, Private First Class Schwichtenberg was completely exhausted and was ordered out of the front lines by his officers. Private First Class Schwichtenberg’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, the 37th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.