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 Corporal James Hewett Patten (ASN: 1235825), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company D, 109th Infantry Regiment, 28th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Conde-en-Brie, France, 17 July 1918. Corporal Patten was an example to the men of his platoon when they were under fire for the first time. He continually circulated among his men, encouraging and cautioning them. Mortally wounded by shrapnel, he refused to be evacuated, but stayed with his platoon until he died, with a last word of encouragement on his lips.