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 Captain (Infantry) Alexander McCarrell Patch, III (ASN: 0-24723), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while Commanding an Infantry Company of the 315th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in France, on 23 and 27 August 1944. The regimental objective was to capture the high ground in the vicinity of Sailly north of Limay. The attack continued but the advance was bitterly contested. The advantage was all the enemy’s for they had ample opportunity to dig in and camouflage themselves in positions that commanded the surrounding terrain. As the attack moved out of the woods on to open ground, Company B had a slight downgrade toward securely established enemy positions. However, with Captain Patch in front of his troops, the company advanced under heavy small arms fire. It was almost impossible to see from whence the fire emanated. Captain Patch spurred his men on, always in the foreground, until finally a bullet hit him in the shoulder. This did not deter him from his task. Never faltering for a moment he continued to lead the attack for two hours after being hit. All the time he was bleeding profusely and growing weaker from loss of blood. No amount of persuasion would make him retire until the objective was in sight and then only with great reluctance. By this time the success of the attack was a certainty. At all times throughout this attack Capt. Patch displayed unusual courage and valor. The extraordinary heroism displayed distinguishes Captain Patch as upholding the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.