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 Thomas Borkus (ASN: 154423), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company B, 1st Engineers, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Exermont, France, 9 October 1918. Upon his own initiative, Corporal Borkus, with another soldier, displayed notable courage in attacking two machine guns which were hindering the advance. Undaunted by the heavy machine-gun fire, they poured deadly rifle fire upon the enemy gunners, and forced them to flee toward our attacking troops, who captured them.