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 First Class Leon Durand, Army of France, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 156th Regiment (Infantry), Army of France, in France on 12 September 1918. While his platoon was being held up by enemy grenadiers, Soldat Durand opened fire from his machine gun and prevented an enemy counterattack. An exploding mine had damaged his gun, and, when the enemy rushed forward he jumped from his position, and, with the aid of hand grenades, he resisted the advance and caused many casualties.