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 Corporal Morrison Hayes (ASN: 567487), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company D, 12th Machine-Gun Battalion, 4th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Hautevesnes, France, 19 July 1918. Although wounded during an advance, Corporal Hayes refused to be evacuated and led his squad forward with the Infantry, placing the gun in action in the front line. Exposed to intense fire, he maintained his gun in action until he received a second wound, which later proved fatal. When ordered to withdraw, he assisted in moving the gun back to another position, inspiring his men by his personal heroism.