Wesley D. Harris

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Wesley D. Harris (0-453241), Captain (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer, Company C, 307th Airborne Engineer Battalion, 82d Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces on 20 September 1944, in Holland. Captain Harris, while under heavy enemy fire, personally directed the loading and movement of assault boats which enabled the 504th Parachute Infantry to successfully cross the Waal River and establish the vital Nijmegen bridgehead. Crossing the river in the face of heavy enemy machine gun, 20-mm., and artillery fire in one of the first assault boats of the initial assault wave, Captain Harris was painfully wounded in the back and arm but continued to supervise the movement and unloading of the boats. After returning to the south bank of the river he refused medical evacuation but effected rapid and thorough reorganization of the remaining boats and engineer personnel for the crossing of the second wave. While leading the second wave a pontoon near his boat was hit by enemy fire and capsized, but Captain Harris plunged into the river and despite his wounded condition assisted 3 men to other boats. Captain Harris then returned to the south bank and while supervising loading of the third wave, fainted for the loss of blood. Captain Harris’ intrepid direction, heroic leadership, and superior professional ability contributed directly to the success of the bridgehead operation and were in keeping with the highest traditions and standards of the United States Army