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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Wellborn Saxon Priddy, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 168th Infantry Regiment, 42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, while in command of an important post near Badonvilliers, France, on 26 May 1918. Second Lieutenant Priddy displayed courage, judgment and devotion to duty in heroically defending his position against a large force of the enemy, continuing to perform his duty after having been badly gassed. He died 29 May 1918, as a result of the gas poisoning.