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 (Infantry) Richard J. Ryan, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving Company I, 165th Infantry Regiment, 42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Villers-sur-Fere, France, 28 July 1918. Three times wounded on 28 July 1918, in the attack across the River Ourcq, and up the heights beyond, in which he led his company forward in the face of extremely heavy fire from machine-guns and artillery, Captain Ryan refused to be evacuated and remained with his company until it was withdrawn. They reached their objectives and made their stand because of his fine spirit and unflinching determination.