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 Russel K. Bourne (ASN: 136664), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Battery C, 103d Field Artillery, 26th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Samogneux, France, October, 24, 1918. After his place had received two direct hits, Corporal Bourne refused to seek safety and helped to carry a wounded comrade across a terrifically shelled area. While in the performance of this task he was instantly killed.