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 Clayton E. Barrows (ASN: 554136), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company D, 8th Machine-Gun Battalion, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Le Rocq Farm, France, 14 & 15 July 1918. On duty as a runner at battalion headquarters, Private Barrows was sent with a message to his company commander during a terrific enemy bombardment. Passing for two and one-half kilometers over ground where gas and high-explosive shells were constantly falling, he was forced to tear off his gas mask in order to find his way; but he succeeded in delivering his message, falling exhausted just as his mission was completed.