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DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS - DSC

about T/Sgt William H. Prince, 817 Brush St, Oakland, CA.

During the first air raid at Darwin, Sgt Prince rushed from his slit trench to aid two of his comrades whom he knew were somewhere near a bomb explosion. Reaching their trench he found it nearly full of dirt thrown by the explosion. He immediately began digging with his steel helmet, called for assistance and managed to get the head of one soldier free so he could breath, just as a wave of 27 bombers began dropping their loads. Disregarding his own safety, he remained with only the protection the partly filled trench could provide. As soon as the bomb exploded, he quickly extricated another soldier from the earth that was piled on top of him. For 30 minutes with enemy planes still overhead, he assisted in giving artificial respiration to this soldier until signs of life were shown, and then carried him approximately 300 yards to the hospital. His efforts saved his comrades at the risk of his own life evidenced a high degree of courage.