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 Private Edward Joseph Puchajda (ASN: 1245040), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company H, 111th Infantry Regiment, 28th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, north of Courlandon, France, September 6 – 7, 1918. Private Puchajda repeatedly exposed himself to heavy machine-gun fire in order to carry messages to his company commander across an area raked continuously by enemy fire. He accomplished his mission and maintained communication after several other runners had been killed in the attempt.