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 Lieutenant Fernand Malbe, Army of France, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 350th Tank Company, French Tank Corps, Army of France, near Gesnes, France, 5 October 1918. After two of his tanks had been destroyed, Lieutenant Malbe continued to lead his tank section in a desperate attack on the machine-gun nests at the crest of Hill 255. His entire disregard of personal danger in successfully carrying out his mission under the terrific enemy fire, made it possible for our troops to reach the objective and hold the position.