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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Robert E. Sharp, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 117th Infantry Regiment, 30th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Etreyes, France, October 6 – 7, 1918. Acting as battalion gas officer, Lieutenant Sharp volunteered to carry an important message to one of the companies after three runners had been killed in attempting to do so. He succeeded in making the trip through heavy shell and machine-gun fire and returning safely. Next morning upon his own request, he was permitted to join one of the attacking companies and was severely wounded while leading a platoon to its objective.