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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Edward Willis, Jr., United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 107th Infantry Regiment, 27th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Ronssoy, France, 29 September 1918. Lieutenant Willis displayed remarkable gallantry in leading his platoon of machine-guns for more than 2,000 yards under terrific machine-gun fire. Even after being mortally wounded and unable to advance further, he continued to urge his men on.