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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Clifford Fuller Phillips, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism while serving with Company H, 339th Infantry, 85th Division (Detachment in North Russia), in action near Bolshieozerke, Russia, 2 April 1919. With a few men and two Lewis guns, First Lieutenant Phillips held the enemy counter attack for an hour until reinforcements arrived. He constantly encouraged and inspired his men by the example of heroism he set, refusing all aid when seriously wounded, to avoid weakening his small effective forces.