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 Clyde Oliver Shelton (ASN: 1321818), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company L, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Mazinghien, France, 19 October 1918. Sergeant Shelton who was in command of a platoon, was ordered to post an automatic rifle so as to protect the right flank of his battalion, and in order to do this, it was necessary to advance his line beyond a hedge and wire fence. Halting his platoon, he went forward himself, and, under heavy fire in clear view of the enemy, he cut an opening in the barrier. His courageous act permitted a patrol to pass through, and the line was subsequently established with a minimum of casualties.