Raymond C. Gantner

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Raymond C. Gantner (36075298), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 19 May 1943, in the Territory of Alaska. During the advance of our troops on Attu Island, Private First Class Gantner displayed outstanding courage in the face of almost certain self-destruction when his platoon was pinned to the ground by heavy machine gun fire. Private First Class Gantner dashed across open terrain, silenced the machine gun with grenades, and then charged forward, killing the remaining enemy with his rifle. His intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 7th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.