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 Captain (Corps of Engineers) Madison H. Lewis, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 302d Engineers, 77th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Ville-Savoye, France, 18 August 1918. Under enemy fire, high explosive and gas, Captain Lewis voluntarily plunged into the Vesle River to rescue some soldiers who had fallen into the water with full packs while crossing a footbridge, and were in danger of drowning. In order to see, he removed his gas mask, and, as a result, was severely gassed.