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 Corporal Howard P. DeRum (ASN: 1200961), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company C, 102d Field Signal Battalion, 27th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Ronssoy, France, 29 September 1918. Corporal De Rum accompanied the first attacking wave, stringing telephone lines under terrific enemy fire, even after being advised by the signal officer to seek shelter, courageously maintained communication until he was killed.