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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Orval Kline, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 11th Machine-Gun Battalion, 4th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, northeast of Nantillois, France, 12 October 1918. While the infantry was falling back 200 meters to take coyer from heavy artillery and machine-gun fire, he, with his platoon sergeant, stayed at their one remaining machine-gun, which they continued to operate for 45 minutes, until the infantry position was reestablished. They not only successfully covered withdrawal of the infantry, but also captured a German machine-gun and three prisoners.