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 Corporal Homer Joseph Wheaton (ASN: 61304), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company G, 101st Infantry Regiment, 26th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Chavignon, Chermin des Dames sector, France. During a heavy bombardment on the morning of 27 February 1918. one of the hand grenades which were being distributed to the men of his company was dropped by accident. Corporal Wheaton, with extreme courage and self-sacrifice, ran to and picked up the grenade in an effort to cast it out of the danger area before it exploded. It exploded, however, before he could throw it away, and he was fatally wounded, dying shortly thereafter.