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 Corporal Edward F. Phelan (ASN: 50466), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company E, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Vierzy, France, 18 July 1918. Corporal Phelan voluntarily left the assaulting wave of his company and, single-handed, captured or killed the entire crew of a concealed machine-gun position, which was delivering a terrific and accurate fire upon his comrades from the right flank. His timely and gallant act drew the fire of the machine-gun from his comrades until they were able to find shelter, and saved the lives of many of the assaulting wave.