First Lieutenant Ralph Decker, JR., DSC

Distinguished Service Cross (DSC), 351st Infantry Regiment

Fifth Army

General Orders, Number 39

9 April 1945

RALPH DECKER, JR., (01032272), First Lieutenant, Infantry, United States Army. For extraordinary heroism in action, on the night of 27-28 January 1945, in the vicinity of Livergnano, Italy. While First Lieutenant DECKER was leading a patrol in an attack against an enemy held house, two enemy machine guns opened fire on the patrol and halted its advance. Realizing that these emplacements must be eliminated at once, First Lieutenant DECKER continued forward alone and reached the house, where he opened fire on a nearby enemy machine gun nest. He then circled the house to reach a point behind the enemy weapon. At this time the enemy tossed a hand grenade which landed between his feet. Avoiding the exploding grenade, First Lieutenant DECKER rushed the emplacement, throwing grenades and firing his submachine gun. He killed one German and forced the other three to surrender. Searching two other houses, he discovered a dugout beneath one of the buildings, occupied by several Germans. When they refused to surrender, First Lieutenant DECKER threw two hand grenades into the position and then placed sixty pounds of explosives over the top of the dugout to destroy the house, the dugout and all its occupants. He then covered the withdrawal of his patrol by firing at the remaining German machine gun. First Lieutenant DECKER'S fearless and aggressive attack against a superior force was an inspiration to his men and his heroic performance reflects credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. Entered military service from Los Angeles, California.

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General Orders No. 39, Headquarters, Fifth Army, 9 April 1945; World War II Operational and Unit Records; Records of the Adjutant General's Office, Record Group 407; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD.