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 First Class Earl C. Payne (ASN: 5789), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Medical Detachment, 9th Infantry Regiment (Attached), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Blanc Mont Ridge, France, 7 October 1918. Private Payne displayed exceptional valor and devotion to duty by constantly attending the wounded under machine-gun and artillery fire. He continued his task until mortally wounded, while rendering first aid to a wounded soldier under the direct observation of an enemy machine-gunner.