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 Fred B. Shannon (ASN: 1309123), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company K, 117th Infantry Regiment, 30th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Geneve and Premont, France, October 7 – 20, 1918. Throughout the engagement Sergeant Shannon led his platoon with great bravery and distinction, participating constantly in the severe fighting of that period, despite a painful wound in the hand and another in the arm, received the first day of the engagement. He gave unsparingly of his strength while helping others in addition to his own work until his company had been relieved. He dropped unconscious from exhaustion and the effects of his wounds soon after turning over his platoon to the second in command.