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 J. Thompson (ASN: 89225), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company A, 165th Infantry Regiment, 42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Villers-sur-Fere, France, 28 July 1918. On duty as sniper of the assaulting battalion, Private Thompson assisted a runner who had been mortally wounded, relieved him of his message, and although mortally wounded himself delivered the dispatch to his company commander, dying shortly thereafter. His heroic conduct was an inspiration to his regiment.