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 Richard Wahler (ASN: 2176034), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company C, 353d Infantry Regiment, 89th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Bois-de-Bantheville, France, 21 October 1918. After being severely wounded in the hand and face, Private Wahler continued his duties as stretcher-bearer, carrying wounded from the field during the entire afternoon and evening. For seven days thereafter he remained constantly on duty and during the entire period he worked under an almost incessant rain of shells.