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 Axel C. Lundegard (ASN: 18023), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Medical Detachment, 26th Infantry Regiment (Attached), 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Verdun, France, 4 October 1918. Private Lundegard went forward alone and unarmed into the enemy’s territory to rescue a wounded man who had been injured in the advance patrol fighting. He succeeded in his mission despite very heavy machine-gun and artillery fire.