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 Captain (Corps of Engineers) Murray Randolph MacKall, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 4th Engineers, 4th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, west of Fismes, France, August 4 – 5, 1918. Captain MacKall reconnoitered a section of the River Vesle in advance of the front line of infantry under continuous fire from machineguns and one-pounders. Proceeding alone for about one kilometer along the stream, despite the fact that German machineguns were located near the opposite bank, he continued his reconnaissance and selected several suitable sites, one of which was used the next night. Captain MacKall guided the working party through the enemy’s barrage.