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 Private William Leslie Sims (ASN: 1484963), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company A, 13th Machine-Gun Battalion, 5th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Frapelle, France, August 16 – 18, 1918. While acting as a runner Private Sims showed exceptional bravery in carrying messages through a heavily shelled and gassed area. After being wounded in the hand he made 12 trips from Frapelle to his company headquarters at Chapelle St. Clair.