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 Albert Lee Cranford (ASN: 1310721), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company D, 118th Infantry Regiment, 30th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Bellicourt, France, 27 September 1918. After all his comrades had been killed or wounded and he himself injured by an enemy hand grenade, Private Cranford defended his post single-handed in the face of a German bombing attack until reinforcements arrived. He then continued on duty with his company, refusing to be evacuated until he was severely gassed later.