The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross, in lieu of a previously issued Certificate of Merit and Distinguished Service Medal, to Private Walter C. Schaus, United States Army, for gallant conduct while serving as a member of the 66th Company, Coast Artillery Corps, in entering a burning building after other gallant soldiers were unable to endure the suffocating smoke, and at the imminent risk of his life rescued an inmate from the consuming flames, at Presidio of San Francisco, California, 27 August 1915.