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 Major (Infantry) Frederick Walter McLaren Patterson, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 315th Infantry Regiment, 79th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Nantillois, France, 28 – 29 September 1918. After being severely wounded in the left leg, Major Patterson continued throughout the night to exercise command of his battalion at a critical time. He refused medical aid until the morning of the 29th and was evacuated by order of the regimental commander.