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 Sergeant Alexander Dodder (ASN: 448061), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company H, 53d Infantry Regiment, 6th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Landersbach, Alsace, 4 October 1918. Sergeant Dodder was in a detachment of 50 soldiers who were attacked by a raiding party of the enemy composed of 300 storm troops. Though severely wounded by shell fire and grenades during the combat, this courageous soldier continued to operate his automatic rifle until the enemy retreated. The fire of the rifle which he was manning alone dispersed the main body of the enemy and prevented them from capturing prisoners and gaining valuable information.