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 Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Clark R. Elliott, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Soissons, France, 21 July 1918. Lieutenant Colonel Elliot promptly and courageously took command of the men of the front lines at a critical stage of the engagement. While leading them forward in a successful attack was himself killed.