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 Edward J. Backley (ASN: 2059313), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company D, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Berzy-le-Sec, France, 20 July 1918. Private Backley showed exceptional courage and devotion to duty in unhesitatingly advancing against the intense fire of a machine-gun and assisting in capturing the gun and crew.