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 Henry John Hoffman (ASN: 145708), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Battery C, 151st Field Artillery, 42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Suippes, France, on 15 July 1918. After telephonic communication had been severed, Private Hoffman volunteered and carried a message over territory perilously swept by shell fire. He was further hindered by being obliged to wear his gas mask, but the mission was successfully accomplished.