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 McLaurin Baker (ASN: 1330208), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company C, 105th Field Signal Battalion, 30th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Mazinghien, France, 18 October 1918. During the fighting around Mazinghien, Sergeant Baker, while attached to the 120th Infantry, was painfully wounded by shrapnel, which necessitated his going to the first-aid station for treatment. Realizing that his services were greatly needed at the line he refused to be evacuated, but remained in action until the troops were withdrawn.