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 First Class Ernest Elmer Ely (ASN: 199423), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade, Tank Corps, American Expeditionary Forces, in the Aire Valley, France, 26 September 12 October 1918. Sergeant Ely worked for five days and nights under intense shell fire to establish signal communications. While engaged in this work he was gassed and carried to a dressing station unconscious. On regaining consciousness he escaped from the dressing station, returned to his post, and continued to work for 12 hours more until he was gassed for a second time.