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 Owen C. Hawkins (ASN: 102462), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company M, 168th Infantry Regiment, 42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Flirey, France, 12 September 1918. Sergeant Hawkins displayed great gallantry and utter disregard for his own personal safety when, single-handed, he rushed an enemy machine-gun post which he captured with 17 prisoners. Later, when his platoon commander had been wounded, he took command of the platoon and carried on with the skill and efficiency of a commissioned officer.