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 Private Joseph William Volk (ASN: 1750463), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company B, 312th Infantry Regiment, 78th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Grand Pre, France, 22 October 1918. While engaged as runner, Private Volk carried messages to and from advanced positions, and, although wounded, continued through the whole afternoon before his wound was discovered. Even then he volunteered to carry an important message to the front lines, While directing his company commander and a number of wounded through an intense barrage, he successfully forded a river four times, showing, during the entire operations, an utter disregard for personal safety.