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 Private William L. Packard (ASN: 1769), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Medical Detachment, 7th Field Artillery (Attached), 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Exermont, France, 5 October 1918. In going to the aid of a wounded comrade, Private Packard was himself mortally wounded, but continued on his self-sacrificing mission till he was too weak from loss of blood to continue his work, dying shortly afterward.