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 Private Oscar E. Martin, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the Fifty-Fifth Company, Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F., in action near Bois-de-Belleau, France, 7 June 1918. Private Martin, acting as company runner, showed great bravery and devotion to duty, repeatedly carrying messages under intense machine-gun and artillery fire. Although himself severely wounded, Private Martin assisted his wounded company commander to a place of safety while under intense enemy fire thereby setting a splendid example to the men of his organization.