The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Corporal Richard E. Bentley (ASN: 1215694), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company L, 108th Infantry Regiment, 27th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near St. Souplet, France, 15 October 1918. Accompanied by an officer and three other soldiers, Corporal Bentley made a reconnaissance of the River La Selle, the journey being made under constant and heavy machine-gun fire. To secure the desired information it was necessary to wade the stream for the entire distance.