The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private Patrick F. Fleming (ASN: 1454042), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company M, 138th Infantry Regiment, 35th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Oderon, Alsace, 12 July 1918. Private Fleming bravely attempted to pick up and throw away a live grenade that had fallen among five soldiers, but because of irregularities of the trench he could not reach it before it burst. He thrust his foot on it, thereby saving his companions from death or injury but causing wounds that necessitated amputation of the foot.