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 James J. Mulligan (ASN: 368584), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company I, 114th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Bois De Ormont, France, on 12 October 1918. Private Mulligan volunteered to carry a message from the firing line to the rear over a route commonly known as the “Valley of Death,” under heavy machine-gun and shell fire. During the journey, he was severely wounded in the thigh and leg, but delivered his message. Instead of waiting for treatment, Private Mulligan hopped and crawled back to the firing line with his answer.