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 Blackburn Wert Ballard (ASN: 154334), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company A, 1st Engineers, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Verdun, France, 9 October 1918. Advancing alone ahead of his squad, in the face of unusual machine-gun fire, Corporal Ballard set out to attack a machine-gun nest. He so inspired his men that they came to his assistance, and under his direction, the stronghold was taken, together with many prisoners. While guarding the collected prisoners he was killed.