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 Melvin Nesbitt Hardin (ASN: 1312188), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company L, 118th Infantry Regiment, 30th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Bellicourt, France, September 23 – 27, 1918. During four days of operations and under unusually adverse conditions, Private Hardin, acting as company runner, repeatedly carried messages from company headquarters to the front line, over open ground, subjected to shell and direct machine-gun fire. With practically no food or sleep, and showing absolute disregard for personal safety, he successfully performed each mission, aiding materially in the maintenance of liaison and the success of the attack.