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 Second Lieutenant Narcisse Bourgon, Army of France, for extraordinary heroism while serving with 21st Battalion de Marche, Colonial Infantry, in action at Verst 455, North Russia, 14 October 1918. Lieutenant Bourgon placed himself at the head of a Franco-American section and personally led it through heavy machine-gun fire against a strongly fortified position. This brilliant officer was killed at Bolsheozerka, Russia, 19 March 1919, while defending with a small force his position, which was repeatedly attacked by three battalions of the enemy.