The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to First Lieutenant (Cavalry) David L. Cockley, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 4 December 1864, while serving with Company L, 10th Ohio Cavalry, in action at Waynesboro, Georgia. While acting as aide-de-camp to a general officer, First Lieutenant Cockley three times asked permission to join his regiment in a proposed charge upon the enemy, and in response to the last request, having obtained such permission, joined his regiment and fought bravely at its head throughout the action.