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 Brigadier General Nelson Macy Walker (ASN: 0-7642), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Assistant Commanding General of the 8th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in France, on 9 July 1944. When the 121st Infantry Regiment of the 8th Infantry Division was held up by heavy casualties, General Walker went forward to the regimental headquarters to see if he could get the unit moving forward. When he arrived at the front line to investigate, he found that Company E, 121st Regiment had been pinned down for two days by heavy German fire, just south of the main road between La Haye Du Puis and Carentan. The 121st appeared highly disorganized and he went to Company E, to see if he could get the unit to move forward. Assisted by two aides, he took a platoon with him and led them through gaps in two hedgerows, approaching where small arms fire was heard. Cutting through another gap in the next hedgerow, the men were suddenly met with heavy automatic fire from Germans and immediately six of the soldiers, including General Walker, were wounded. Two of his aides crawled along the hedgerow and took cover behind a high dirt mount and one of them went back to find an aid man to render aid to General Walker while the other remained in cover to guide the aid men when they returned. After some time, a field ambulance and three aid men arrived and brought General Walker into safety on a stretcher while the medics administered plasma. The bullet had penetrated the General’s right thigh and hip socket, breaking his pelvis, and causing great loss of blood. He died of his wounds the following morning. Brigadier General Walker’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 8th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.