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 Robert P. Howard (ASN: 1386525), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company B, 131st Infantry Regiment, 33d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Chipilly Ridge, France, 9 August 1918. Corporal Howard displayed extraordinary bravery when after being wounded by a machine-gun bullet and with a piece of shrapnel in his lung, he refused to be evacuated. Stating that he knew most of the non-commissioned officers in the company had been killed or wounded, he remained on duty with his men, setting an example of coolness and courage.