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 Corporal Earl J. Martin (ASN: 65521), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company I, 102d Infantry Regiment, 26th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Verdun, France, 27 October 1918. Corporal Martin led his platoon over the top until further advance was impossible. He then remained in observation. Upon being grenaded by two of the enemy, be shot them with his pistol and moving forward, gained entrance to an unused pillbox. A few hours later he ventured out into enemy trenches, entered a nearby dugout, and disposed of six occupants, then retired to his former position in the pillbox, returning to his own lines after dark.