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 Sergeant Ira Clay Rayner (ASN: 2131428), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company G, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Nonsard, France, 12 September 1918. Although under fire for the first time and very ill with a high fever, Sergeant Rayner took charge of the platoon after the platoon leader had been killed, and effectively directed it for two days, in spite of his physical condition, refusing to be evacuated until in a state of collapse.