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 Eugene George Watkins (ASN: 3114715), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company K, 315th Infantry Regiment, 79th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Verdun, France, 1 November 1918. While acting as runner between battalion and regimental headquarters, Private Watkins received severe wounds, but continued on with his mission to his destination, which was reached just before he died. After being wounded, he covered a distance of approximately 300 meters to deliver his message.