David N. Radford

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to David N. Radford (13015814), Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 6 June 1944, in France. When Staff Sergeant Radford observed the great number of men that were pinned down by the heavy enemy fire on the beach, he armed himself with two Bangalore torpedoes and advanced through thirty yards of open terrain to the aprons of barbed wire. Finding the depth of the wire too great for two Bangalores, he returned to the beach, secured another and returned to the barbed wire. He attached the three Bangalores in the most advantageous position and blew a huge gap in the wire. He then led his section through this gap in the wire and across an enemy mine field to the top of a hill from which position flanking fire was directed on the enemy position. The valor and unselfish devotion to duty demonstrated by Staff Sergeant Radford exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.