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 Sergeant Van Walker Peterson (ASN: 1386508), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company B, 131st Infantry Regiment, 33d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Bois-de-Chaume, France, 10 October 1918. When the company guarding the flank was on the verge of retreating in disorder, Sergeant Peterson avoided the perilous situation by jumping to the front and holding the badly shaken troops in their positions on the line. His quick action during the terrific fire was responsible for the safety of the entire line.