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 (Signal Corps) Edwin Hyland Cooper, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Photographic Section, Signal Corps (Attached), 26th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Torcy, France, 18 and 20 July 1918. On 18 July Captain Cooper advanced fearlessly under enemy fire to an exposed position in a shell hole in front of the attacking troops in order to carry out a photographic mission. While in this position he went to the rescue of a wounded man and carried him to the shelter of a shell hole about 100 yards to the rear. Later he assisted in the evacuation of enemy prisoners. On 20 July he again advanced to a forward position in order to secure pictures of the attacking troops. His gallant conduct stimulated the morale of the advancing troops.