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 Cecil E. Barnett (ASN: 1306573), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Machine-Gun Company, 117th Infantry Regiment, 30th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Busigny, France, October 8 – 9, 1918. After repeatedly carrying messages under heavy fire, Private Barnett was painfully wounded while acting as a connecting file, but he continued on duty until he was ordered to the dressing station. He then insisted on being permitted to rejoin his company rather than be sent to the hospital.