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 Edwin J. Rafter (ASN: 1205410), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company L, 105th Infantry Regiment, 27th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, east of Ronssoy, France, 27 September 1918. Corporal Rafter while in command of a flank detachment of which all the members except himself were killed or wounded, remained alone at his post during the entire night, and by his constant rifle fire defeated several attempts of enemy groups to develop an attack on the left of his organization, thus enabling his company to reorganize and consolidate their position. His indomitable courage and devotion to duty set an inspiring example to the men of his company and battalion.