Eugene B. Reich

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Eugene B. Reich, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company K, 253d Infantry Regiment, in action against enemy forces on 12 April 1945, near Lampoldhousen, Germany. When his platoon was cut off by two enemy machine guns and several snipers, Private First Class Reich destroyed the first hostile gun with a grenade, killing two Germans and wounding one. He moved across open ground, to a second machine gun position and annihilated it in a similar manner, killing two more of the enemy. After returning to a defiladed position, he skillfully rescued and evacuated a wounded officer. Private First Class Reich then carried sorely needed ammunition to his platoon across seventy-five yards of fire-swept terrain. His courageous actions enabled his unit to carry on the fire fight and reach its objective. Private First Class Reich’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, his unit, and the United States Army.