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 First Class Raymond Francis Knowlton (ASN: 134079), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Battery E, 101st Field Artillery, 26th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, north of Verdun, France, 21 October 1918. With great heroism and devotion to duty and with utter disregard for his personal safety, Private Knowlton rushed forward to the aid of a wounded soldier who was lying exposed to terrific enemy fire. While so engaged he was hit by enemy shell fire and mortally wounded, dying shortly thereafter. The superb devotion to duty displayed by Private Knowlton greatly inspired and encouraged the men of his battery.