Henry H. Cobb, Jr.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Henry H. Cobb, Jr., First Lieutenant (Field Artillery), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company B, 42d Field Artillery Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces from 10 November to 12 November 1944, in the Hurtgen Forest, Germany. Lieutenant Cobb, Forward Observer for a field artillery unit, displayed remarkable courage and competence, and was largely responsible for averting disaster to elements of friendly infantry which had become surrounded. On four distinct occasions, he faced either direct tank fire from points as near as seventy-five yards, or intense hostile artillery, mortar, and small arms fire, in order to direct effective artillery fire against the attacking enemy. One direct hit demolished a dugout from which he was operating. Later, a heavy artillery near miss buried him, momentarily, in debris. Undaunted by these perilous circumstances, he pursued until he had successfully repulsed every assault and on one occasion annihilated an entire enemy force of approximately seventy-five men. First Lieutenant Cobb’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 4th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.