Raymond M. Kirkland

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Raymond M. Kirkland, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 320th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 8 December 1944, in the vicinity of Zetting, France. Sergeant Kirkland led a small group of men across the Saar River near Zetting, France. Because of the swiftness of current the landing was made downstream from the objective in an area under friendly mortar fire. Sergeant Kirkland succeeded in signaling friendly troops to lift the mortar fire and led his men forward through a heavily defended enemy trench system until they were halted by intense enemy fire. The intrepid Sergeant then advanced alone and knocked out two enemy machine-gun positions, and the platoon, under his fearless, inspiring leadership, continued its advance and succeeded in taking and holding the objective. Staff Sergeant Kirkland’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 35th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.