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 Basil E. Duncan (ASN: 1306546), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Machine-Gun Company, 117th Infantry Regiment, 30th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Busigny, France, October 8 – 9, 1918. Private Duncan, a runner, repeatedly carried messages with great coolness and daring, undeterred by the most intense artillery and machine-gun fire.