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 Sergeant Edward Paul Polaska, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism while serving with Company D, 31st Infantry, American Expeditionary Forces (Siberia), in action in Shkotovo and Suchan campaign, Siberia, 20 May 1919 to 20 July 1919. Sergeant Polaska commanded a platoon of his company during the entire period and led it in five different engagements. Hardships were undergone which tested discipline severely, through all of which Sergeant Polaska maintained perfect control, held his platoon at a high state of efficiency, and displayed extraordinary skill in handling it while actually in action, notably at Sitsa, Siberia, 26 June 1919, and at Kazanka, Siberia, 3 July 1919.