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 (Infantry) Hugh Mercer Flanagan, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Cutry, France, 18 July 1918. Lieutenant Flanagan personally led his platoon in an attack on several machine-gun nests which were holding up the advance of the entire battalion. At times he was 50 yards in advance of his men. His action so inspired his command that the enemy strong point was destroyed and 100 prisoners were captured. He was severely wounded in the attack.