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 Private Henry J. Laviolette (ASN: 72416), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company K, 104th Infantry Regiment, 26th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Chateau-Thierry, France, July 20 – 22, 1918. Private Laviolette, acting as a runner, carried messages through heavy artillery fire with absolute fearlessness until killed.