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 Sergeant Edward N. Burns (ASN: 1243650), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company B, 111th Infantry Regiment, 28th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Fismette, France, 10 August 1918. When the attack of his company was held up by fire from a hostile strong point, Sergeant Burns with two other men voluntarily cut their way through enemy wire entanglements under heavy fire, reached their objective and engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. During this latter action six of the enemy were killed, and the attacking line was enabled to advance to the new position. At further risk of his life, Sergeant Burns carried back one of his comrades who had been fatally wounded in the action.