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 Sergeant Charles E. Cunningham (ASN: 28088), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company K, 126th Infantry Regiment, 32d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in the vicinity of Hecken, Alsace, on 27 May 1918. Although seriously wounded during a surprise attack by a German patrol Sergeant Cunningham continued to direct his men and succeeded in driving the enemy off.