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 First Class Walter F. Burke (ASN: 2412662), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Medical Detachment, 311th Infantry Regiment (Attached), 78th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Vieville-en-Haye, France, September 25 – 26, 1918. During an extreme shelling Private Burke cared for the wounded, although exposed at all times to the hazard of the rain of shells. He was stunned by the concussion of a high-explosive shell, which killed men on both sides of him, but he continued until ordered to the aid post. He volunteered and returned to the lines to relieve a comrade who had fallen from exhaustion.