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 Corporal Harold Vest Beal (ASN: 562801), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Battery A, 13th Field Artillery, 4th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Chery-Chartreuve, France, 13 August 1918. Corporal Beal displayed unusual courage in repairing shattered telephone lines during a heavy barrage under direct observation by the enemy. He was repeatedly knocked down by concussion of shells and he was painfully wounded in the shoulder by a bursting shell, but he continued at his work until it was completed without seeking medical aid.