Staff Sergeant Raymond M. Kirkland, Company “F”, 320th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, United States Army. For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy. On 8 December 1944, 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. Sergeant Kirkland√≠s conspicuous heroism and supreme devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military service.

Mr. Kirkland was a life member and resided in Florida.