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 Lieutenant Colonel William T. Owen, Australian Imperial Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, in action against enemy forces near Kokoda, New Guinea, on 27 July 1942. While commanding the 39th Australian Infantry Battalion, which was opposing the enemy advance, Lieutenant Colonel Owen, although facing far superior numbers of enemy troops, directed his men so effectively as to extract a heavy toll of the enemy forces and considerably delay their advance. His courageous and inspiring personal example was in great measure responsible for this vigorous opposition to the enemy attack. Lieutenant Colonel Owen was seriously wounded in this action and later died of his wounds. The intrepidity and unselfish devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Owen reflect highest credit upon himself and the Allied Forces.