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 First Class Emil O. Klaviter (ASN: 2259450), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Machine-Gun Company, 362d Infantry Regiment, 91st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Gesnes, France, 29 September 1918. Private Klaviter, a runner and signalman, while carrying a message to the attacking battalion, encountered an enemy machine-gun nest. Single-handed he killed two of the German machine-gunners and captured six others, together with their gun, ammunition, and belts. The prisoners were then turned over to some other soldiers and forced to carry a wounded officer to the rear, while Private Klaviter continued on his mission.