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 Second Lieutenant (Armor), [then Sergeant] David J. Winton (ASN: 9604), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company C, 345th Tank Battalion, Tank Corps, American Expeditionary Forces, near Exermont, France, 4 October 1918. Lieutenant Winton ran his tank into the wood to reduce a machine-gun nest, but it was hit and set on fire. He and the driver were wounded as they left the tank, but advanced on the nest and were both wounded the second time. While attempting to reach his companion, who had been hit the third time, Lieutenant Winton was again wounded, but reached the driver. They then took cover and remained until darkness, when Lieutenant Winton made his way back to our lines, being hit three more times while returning.