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 James E. Holden (ASN: 1754094), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 312th Infantry Regiment, 78th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Limey, France, 20 September 1918. Undaunted by heavy shell fire, Private Holden, a runner between brigade and regiment headquarters, delivered an important message, walking and crawling through a wood which was being so heavily bombarded with gas and high-explosive shells that it had been evacuated. He returned to his post, after delivering his message, through the same severe fire.