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 Captain (Infantry) Alvin Colburn, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company H, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Vaux, France, July 1 – 2, 1918. After undergoing a severe bombardment from trench mortars and 77’s, which caused numerous casualties in his company, Captain Colburn led his company in an attack and succeeded in capturing 100 prisoners and 13 machine guns. He constantly exposed himself to enemy fire while leading his command towards its objective. His gallant conduct and able leadership gave his men the confidence necessary to accomplish their mission and to repel a strong counterattack in the darkness of the early morning of 2 July 1918.