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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) William Oscar Pierce, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving Company A, 1st Battalion, 364th Infantry Regiment, 91st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Very and Eclisfontaine, France, 26 – 27 September 1918. Lieutenant Pierce valiantly led his platoon in the attack on enemy positions before Very and Eclisfontaine. The following day he again led his platoon through ravines and approaches covered by enemy machine-gun fire in the attack on the Bois-de-Baulny. He was killed by enemy fire while leading his men in this attack.