Arthur R. Marcotte

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Arthur R. Marcotte (31320823), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company G, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 23 January 1945, near Houssen, France. When his squad encountered deadly machine gun fire from wooded positions fifty yards to his front, Private First Class Marcotte advanced intrepidly over bullet-swept ground, firing his sub-machine gun from the hip. Twenty yards from the hostile emplacement, he killed the three-man crew with a hand grenade. Seconds later, a sniper’s bullet ripped into his stomach. Mortally wounded, Private First Class Marcotte staggered blindly forward for thirty yards, fell exhausted on the ground and opened fire with his “Tommy Gun”. He killed the sniper but died of his wounds a few minutes later. Private First Class Marcotte’s intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 3d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.