Henry Berkowitz

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Henry Berkowitz (12006610), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Cannon Company, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 6 June 1944, in France. When the craft upon which Private First Class Berkowitz was coming into shore was hit and sunk by enemy artillery fire, he jumped from t he sinking boat with his Signal corps radio and, under a hail of constant enemy machine gun fire, began making his way ashore through the heavy surf. Though seriously wounded as he approached the shore, Private First Class Berkowitz, nevertheless, retained his hold on the vitally important radio and continued ashore with it. Upon reaching the shore, he refused treatment, dragging himself and the radio along the fireswept beach and through a mine field until he reached his forward observation party. Despite the painful wound and the intense enemy machine gun fire, Private First Class Berkowitz operated his radio throughout the period his sector was on the beach. Private First Class Berkowitz’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 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.