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 Captain (Corps of Engineers) James Edwin Carruth, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Division Engineer Officer, Headquarters Company, 302d Engineer Combat Battalion, 77th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at the Antilao River, Leyte, Philippine Islands, on 16 December 1944. The Infantry company that Captain Carruth was supporting was halted at the Antilao River by camouflaged enemy positions across that river. Seeing the numerous casualties caused by the enemy fire from spider holes and hidden gun emplacements, Captain Carruth called forward a bulldozer, climbed up into the exposed cab, and directed the driver to ford the river and overrun the enemy positions. Time after time, as the vehicle moved about, ripping the cover off hidden enemy positions, h Captain Carruth leaned out of the cab and fired an automatic rifle into the exposed positions, killing the occupants. Despite the personal risk at his exposed position, he kept this up for some time. A Japanese officer and two men saw the danger presented by Captain Carruth and charged the bulldozer with an explosive charge. These men he killed with his automatic rifle. Then he calmly directed the destruction of more of the enemy defenses. Almost single-handedly, Captain Carruth overran a strong enemy defensive position and allow the enemy to advance with minimal casualties. His 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 77th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.