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 Sergeant Paul J. Gaston (ASN: 17428), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Sanitary Detachment, 121st Machine-Gun Battalion (Attached), 32d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in front of Bellevue Farm, near Cierges, France, 1 August 1918. During the attack on Bellevue Farm Sergeant Gaston worked energetically throughout the engagement which continued from 2 to 10 p. m., to give first aid to the wounded and to carry them to the dressing station. He was under fire of snipers continuously and frequently went into shell and machine-gun fire to administer to wounded soldiers. His calmness and courage was a source of inspiration to the combat troops.