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 Private Eugene M. Ashcraft (ASN: 1565755), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company E, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Exermont, France, 6 October 1918. Responding to a call for volunteers, Private Ashcraft proceeded 400 yards ahead of his platoon to ascertain the location of the enemy. The mission was accomplished through an extremely heavy fire, but Private Ashcraft, after obtaining his information, successfully returned over the same ground, and made his report to the platoon commander.