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) Francis W. Mason, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 328th Infantry Regiment, 82d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near St. Georges, France, 22 October 1918. Lieutenant Mason led a patrol of 40 men through a woods in order to envelop the enemy’s position. Advancing under heavy shell fire, this officer was severely wounded, but, displaying excellent leadership and unusual bravery, he continued the advance and succeeded in occupying the woods.