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 Major (Infantry) Harold Blanchard, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 327th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Division, A.E.F., during the Meuse‐Argonne offensive, October 7 ‐ 21, 1918. During 14 days of severe fighting Major Blanchard was constantly on duty with his battalion, although suffering severely from bronchitis, the result of being gassed. He personally took command of a company, after all the officers had become casualties, and led them through a heavy artillery barrage and machine‐gun fire, gaining his objective. Immediately after his battalion was relieved he collapsed from the severe strain.