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 Private Joseph H. Burchfield (ASN: 2579782), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Medical Detachment, 16th Infantry Regiment (Attached), 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, throughout the operations south of Soissons, France, July 18 – 22, 1918. During the entire operation Private Burchfield repeatedly exposed himself to heavy enemy fire in order to dress and evacuate the wounded. On July 22 he went through a heavy enemy barrage to render first aid to the wounded in the front line and to evacuate them to the rear and was himself wounded while engaged in this work.