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 N. Cooper (ASN: 1316775), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company L, 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near St. Souplet, France, 10 October 1918. Private Cooper left shelter to advance under heavy machine-gun fire, and rescued a wounded soldier, carrying him back to safety. He was killed in action the following day.