John A. Dowthitt

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to John A. Dowthitt, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company E, 129th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 10 February 1945, at Manila, Philippine Islands. After an early morning amphibious assault on Provisor Island against enemy machine gun fire, Private Dowthitt and another soldier undertook to evacuate three of their wounded companions. Taking the most seriously wounded in their boat they paddled back across the fifty-yard wide estuary, occasionally maneuvering their boat to push the boat which was paddled by the other two wounded men. Enemy machine gun fire badly damaged both boats and sprayed the water around them but they succeeded in reaching the shelter of a curve in the Estero de Paco and delivered the casualties to the Command Post. Upon receipt of word that another man had been badly wounded, Private Dowthitt and his companion again volunteered to attempt the dangerous double crossing. Selecting an undamaged boat they took with them a mortar squad and a load of ammunition to reinforce the group on the island. Despite continued enemy fire from three machine guns which again riddled their boat, they successfully completed the trip, bringing back two wounded men. Totally defenseless while exposed to the hostile fire on these crossings, Private Dowthitt displayed extraordinary heroism and at the risk of his life assisted in evacuating five wounded comrades to safety. His 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 37th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.