Earl W. Harrington

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Earl W. Harrington (36371008), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as a Medical Aidman with the 109th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 10 August 1944, in France. While crawling toward a wounded soldier, Private First Class Harrington was struck by enemy machine gun fire. With great effort, he reached the wounded man and, as he completed dressing his wound, a second rifleman was hit approximately ten feet away. Ignoring his own wounds, Private First Class Harrington went to his aid. Private First Class Harrington was fatally wounded when he covered the rifleman with his body to protect him from flying fragments of a mortar shell which landed nearby. By his selfless personal courage, Private First Class Harrington exemplified the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and his actions reflect great credit upon himself, the 28th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.