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) Samuel P. Adkisson, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 39th Infantry Regiment, 4th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Septsarges, France, 10 October 1918. Leading his platoon through an unusually heavy barrage, Lieutenant Adkisson filled a gap on the right flank which was until then exposed. From this point he attacked and captured several machine guns and 20 prisoners. During an attack he was badly gassed and his platoon reduced in strength to six men, but he held his position under a murderous crossfire of artillery and machine guns until relieved three days later.