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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Rice William Means, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism while serving with 1st Colorado Volunteer Infantry, in action at Manila, Philippine Islands, August 9 & 10, 1898. Lieutenant Means conducted a bold and fearless reconnaissance, during which, regardless of his personal safety, he went beyond the American lines and close to those of the enemy and assisted in examining the ground between the American trenches and Fort San Antonio de Abad held by Spanish forces, thus securing information of the utmost importance in planning the successful attack of 13 August 1898, on Manila, Philippine Islands.