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) Charles D. Avery, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Cantigny, 27 May 1918. After a two-hour barrage, which caused many casualties in our forces, the enemy raided a sector occupied by our troops. During the attack, Lieutenant Avery exhibited unusual courage in holding together his handful of men, after one-third had become casualties, and distributing ammunition to remaining men, which finally stopped the attack. Two prisoners were taken during the battle. Lieutenant Avery was severely wounded about the head, and later buried in a trench where he remained for three and one-half hours, before being dug out.