Vernon C. Jordan

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Vernon C. Jordan, First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company L, 359th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 20 February 1945, near Deisterwald, Germany. After patrols had made unsuccessful attempts to cross open ground and reach a fortified house where defending Germans were holding up the company’s advance, Lieutenant Jordan voluntarily advanced alone. He crawled into the clearing, jumped to his feet and dashed through a hail of crossfire to reach the house. There, ignoring the enemy fire centered upon him he crawled up a ladder and made entrance through a second floor window. Boldly fighting from room to room he captured two of the enemy and forced the remaining soldiers from the building. His heroic action enabled the company to advance and take its objective. First Lieutenant Jordan’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 90th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.