The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Edgar L. Cox (ASN: 1980555), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Machine-Gun Company, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Bellicourt, France, 29 September 1918. With five other soldiers, Private Cox succeeded in breaking up three machine-gun nests and capturing eight prisoners under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire. After his platoon had reached its objective he and four others volunteered and made a reconnaissance 600 yards in front of the line to make sure that the valley beyond was clear of the enemy. Private Cox has since been killed in action.