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 William H. Springs (ASN: 42618), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company E, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, south of Soissons, France, 18 July 1918. After his platoon commander had been wounded Sergeant Springs took command, reorganized, and led the platoon forward through heavy fire to all its objectives, in which attack he was severely wounded. He also rendered gallant service before Montdidier and St. Mihiel, during both of which operations he was wounded.