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 James Gottschalk (ASN: 3489164), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company C, 15th Machine-Gun Battalion, 5th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Cunel, France, 14 October 1918. Refusing to be evacuated after being seriously wounded, Private Gottschalk continued to carry messages through heavy machine-gun and shell fire. After becoming too weak to make trips by himself he guided another runner, and later assisted a wounded comrade to the rear, refusing any assistance for himself.