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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Frederick W. Ecker, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 115th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Verdun, France, 10 October 1918. While leading his platoon in the Bois-de-Cosenvoye in an attack against strong enemy machine-gun nests, Lieutenant Ecker was severely wounded. He continued to advance, and routed the enemy from their positions and refused to leave his platoon until it was reorganized.