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 First Class Walter Waldroop (ASN: 55383), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Machine-Gun Company, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Verdun, France, 9 October 1918. Private Waldroop, with an officer and six other soldiers, drove off a violent assault of 50 of the enemy after a terrific pistol and grenade fight, thereby holding Hill 269, which was of the utmost tactical importance. During the fighting Private Waldroop was killed.