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 Private First Class Thomas Vander Veen (ASN: 573830), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company C, 11th Machine-Gun Battalion, 4th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Nantillois, France, October 10 – 13, 1918. As company liaison agent, Private First Class Vander Veen maintained continual contact between his company commander and the battalion Post Commander, repeatedly exposing himself to artillery, machine-gun and sniper’s fire to deliver important messages. On one occasion it was necessary for him to pass through the German and our own barrages, but he accomplished this mission fearlessly, showing marked personal bravery.