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 First Class Peter Dachnowicz (ASN: 44144), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company L, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Soissons, France, July 21 – 22, 1918. During the attack Private Dachnowicz was buried in debris by an exploding shell, rendered unconscious, and his automatic rifle destroyed. After regaining consciousness and receiving first aid, he refused to be evacuated. Securing another automatic rifle from a dead soldier, despite his injuries, he rejoined his platoon and continued with the advance. Later in the action by the effective use of his automatic rifle, he aided materially in repelling a counterattack.