The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Private Edward E. Ayotte (ASN: 69840), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 103d Infantry Regiment, 26th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Bouresches, France, 20 July 1918. Under the deadly fire of the enemy’s artillery and machine-guns, Private Ayotte administered first aid to many wounded. He carried a wounded officer some distance to safety, after which he returned, ceasing in his attention to the wounded only after all had received aid.