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 First Lieutenant (Corps of Engineers) William Fowler Bourland, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company C, 1st Engineers, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Verdun, France, October 8 – 9, 1918. On 8 October leading his company to the assault of a hill, First Lieutenant Bourland captured many prisoners and machine guns. On 9 October while defending the hill, the enemy launched a counterattack of greatly superior numbers, but, in the face of great danger, Lieutenant Bourland proceeded to an outpost, and by skillful direction he contributed greatly to the successful defense of the hill. He was killed while in command at this outpost.