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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Alden Clifford Purrington, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Bois d’Aigremont, France, 15 July 1918. While the German barrage preceding their drive of July 15 was at its worst, Lieutenant Purrington volunteered to go through the barrage in Bois d’Aigremont to secure hand grenades for the defense of a wooded ravine after the forward grenade dump was blown up. This was at a time when it seemed impossible for any human being to get through the barrage. Throughout the entire engagement Lieutenant Purrington volunteered to lead a number of patrols, both to the front and flanks.