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 Corporal Benjamin D. Elpern (ASN: 546414), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company E, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Jaulgonne, France, July 23 – 26, 1918. Corporal Elpern volunteered and carried messages under hazardous circumstances when wire communication had been entirely destroyed by the intense shell fire. He also rendered timely aid in guiding parties bringing up food and ammunition.