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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) James M. Ellington, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Bellicourt, France, 29 September 1918. Severely wounded in an attack Lieutenant Ellington refused to stop for first aid, leading his men forward under heavy fire. When after several hours fighting, he was ordered to the rear by his battalion commander, he returned to the front line after having his wound dressed, directing the work of reorganizing his command and consolidating the position that had been won.