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 William Orr McConnell (ASN: 53124), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company I, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Soissons, France, 18 July 1918. After being wounded Private McConnell continued to act as a runner for his company under fire during its three-day advance until killed, 21 July 1918.