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) Horace Buchanan Van Oostenbrugge, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 109th Infantry Regiment, 28th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Villette, France, 6 September 1918. Being the only officer with his company, Second Lieutenant Van Oostenbrugge continued in command for 30 hours after being severely wounded, constantly encouraging his men and setting an example of coolness and heroism. It was only after being wounded a second time that he consented to be evacuated.