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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Paul Waples Derrickson, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in the advance on Cantigny, France, 28 May 1918. Second Lieutenant Derrickson courageously went forward with his platoon and reached the position he had been directed to take. Fearlessly walking up and down his line, he cheered and directed the work of his men until he was killed.