The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant Matthew S. Lanighan (ASN: 1735646), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company I, 309th Infantry Regiment, 78th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near St. Juvin, France, 16 October 1918. Although wounded, Sergeant Lanighan refused to be evacuated and led his men with marked personal courage, capturing several enemy machine-guns and prisoners. He was killed while organizing his platoon for a further advance.