Ray J. Brown

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Ray J. Brown (35583150), Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company D, 413th Infantry Regiment, 104th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 23 February 1945, in Germany. Observing an enemy machine gun holding up the remainder of his company from crossing the Roer River, threatening men who had crossed, Sergeant Brown, having previously crossed, worked his way toward the enemy weapon and temporarily silenced it with a hand grenade. When the gun opened fire soon after, he flanked the position and fired his carbine until his supply of ammunition was spent. With his empty carbine, he rushed the gun position and after fierce hand-to-hand fighting, forced the gun crew to surrender. Sergeant Brown’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 104th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.