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 Corporal Ernest W. Ball (ASN: 2257088), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company H, 361st Infantry Regiment, 91st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Eclisfontaine, France, 29 September 1918. While his company was being harassed by enemy snipers hidden in imitation tanks, Private Ball, without aid, went forward and succeeded in killing one and capturing another.