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 Fred G. Benning (ASN: 45097), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Machine-Gun Company, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, south of Exermont, France, 9 October 1918. After his platoon commander had been killed and two senior noncommissioned officers disabled, Corporal Benning took command of the platoon and, by his able leadership and courage, conducted it through heavy fire to its assigned position on Hill 240.