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 A. Tierce (ASN: 1348045), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company D, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Thiaucourt, France, 12 September 1918. Private Tierce showed exceptional courage when he left his trench in order to obtain a better field of fire for his automatic rifle. He operated the rifle to good advantage until both hands were broken and the gun disabled by a shell fragment. He continued with his company for two days after receiving this wound.