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 Dick Heydenberk (ASN: 106361), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company D, 3d Machine-Gun Battalion, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Ploisy, France, 19 July 1918. When he was wounded Private Heydenberk declined medical attention until he led his platoon through steady bombardment to its final objective and had seen to the proper placing of his guns. Although weak from loss of blood he stayed at his post and effectively directed the fire of his command until wounded four times.