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 Altjie Cornelius Wilken (ASN: 102572), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company M, 168th Infantry Regiment, 42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Sergy, France, 28 July 1918. Private Wilken aided materially in the advance against the Prussian Guards. Despite three wounds he continued firing with his automatic rifle until his right hand was shattered.