Rempfer L. Whitehouse

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Rempfer L. Whitehouse (16134767), Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 11 December 1944, in Germany. Exposing himself to devastating automatic weapons and small arms fire, Sergeant Whitehouse hurled fragmentation grenades into an enemy emplacement and single-handedly forced the surrender of six Germans. While approaching a second hostile position a short while later, he again was subjected to intense fire as he closed in on the gun. Although he was painfully wounded by fire from a machine gun ten feet away, he crawled to the gun position and dropped several grenades into the emplacement, killing three Germans and knocking the position out of action. Sergeant Whitehouse’s intrepid actions, 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 9th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.