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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Edward J. McLaughlin, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 113th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Etraye Ridge, France, 23 October 1918. Assuming command of his company after the death of his commanding officer, Lieutenant McLaughlin displayed remarkable courage and coolness in leading his men to the summit of the Ridge, until he was severely wounded. He was killed shortly afterward by shell fire as he was being evacuated in an ambulance.