Byron B. Dickinson

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Byron B. Dickinson (6258277), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with an Infantry Company of the 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 16 June 1944, in France. While attacking strongly fortified hedgerow positions, two assault squads of Private First Class Dickinson’s platoon were pinned to the ground by a heavy volume of fire. Voluntarily moving to the head of the leading squad, Private First Class Dickinson sprayed the hedgerow with intense automatic rifle fire. Although painfully wounded, he continued forward and was the first to reach the hedgerow. Rising to a half-kneeling position, he placed his automatic rifle over the hedgerow and poured devastating fire upon the enemy emplacements, thus permitting his squad to reach positions from which a successful assault was launched a short while later. Private First Class Dickinson’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 2d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.