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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Edward C. deSaussure, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 328th Infantry Regiment, 82d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Sommerance, France, 18 October 1918. Lieutenant deSaussure was painfully wounded by shrapnel while in command of his company. Continuing to direct its operations while he was having his wound attended at the dressing station, he insisted upon returning to his command immediately thereafter, and, in attempting to do so, was killed by a bursting shell. His conspicuous devotion to duty and self-sacrificing spirit furnished an inspiration to his men, which contributed materially to the ultimate success of the attack.