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 Sergeant Robert Maurice Ryans (ASN: 65325), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company A, 102d Infantry Regiment, 26th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Marcheville, France, 26 September 1918. Sergeant Ryans was in command of a platoon advancing under heavy artillery bombardment, machine-gun and rifle fire. Though severely wounded, he continued to lead his platoon, pushing on with his men until he was killed.