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) Thomas J. Hargrave, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 309th Machine-Gun Battalion, 78th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Grand Pre, France, 26 October 1918. Lieutenant Hargrave personally made a reconnaissance of the entire front of the battalion to which he was attached, under heavy machine-gun and shell fire, and he returned with very valuable information. In order to deliver his information in the shortest possible time, he returned through an open field, subjected to an enemy fire. This officer later rendered valuable assistance in repelling counterattacks by his coolness and intelligent direction of the company.