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 Private William Lawrence Barron (MCSN: 94266), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the Sixteenth Company, Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F., in action near Chateau-Thierry, France, 23 June 1918. After making several successful journeys over an area swept by artillery, machine gun, and rifle fire, in his capacity as runner, Private Barron was caught in a heavy barrage and seriously wounded. By a superhuman effort he made his way to his objective, and, after being dragged into safety, insisted on personally delivering his message. He then fell exhausted from loss of blood.