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 Edwin L. Beard (ASN: 52149), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company M, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, after his platoon was practically wiped out and had been withdrawn near Chateau-Thierry, France, on 6 June 1918. Private Beard continued forward to his objective, and remained throughout the night under heavy fire in hope of keeping the ground gained until reinforcements came up.