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 Major (Infantry) Charles Wolcott Ryder, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Soissons, France, 21 July 1918. Major Ryder took command of the front-line units and reorganized them under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire. Although wounded in the early operations, he remained in command and directed the attack until all objectives had been taken.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Major (Infantry) Charles Wolcott Ryder, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Fleville, France, 9 October 1918. In the attack on Hill 272, after all his runners had been killed or wounded while trying to establish liaison with the front-line companies, Major Ryder advanced alone and personally directed the action of his command although under direct fire from two enemy machine guns. He later personally led the final assault on Hill 272, thereby making possible the success of the entire attack.