The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) George F. Watkins, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 165th Infantry Regiment, 42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, during the storming of the heights north of the River Ourcq, near Villers-sur-Fere, France, 23 July 1918. Second Lieutenant Watkins was an example of courage and soldierly fortitude. He was continually with the foremost elements of his platoon in the most dangerous areas it had to occupy, both during the advance and during the maintenance of the position gained. His platoon was almost annihilated and he himself was killed.