The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Corporal Charles S. Bennett (ASN: 43931), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company K, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, south of Soissons, France, July 19 and 20, 1918. During the night of 19 July while in charge of an automatic rifle squad on outpost duty, Corporal Bennett was taken prisoner by an enemy patrol. He effected his escape by means of securing a German Luger pistol from his captor and taking single-handed 30 of the enemy as prisoners, all of whom he marched to his own lines. After rejoining his company, he was directed to the rear, but declined to go, and remained with his comrades until he was mortally wounded about 5 p.m., 20 July 1918. After being wounded he persistently refused to be evacuated from the field until forced to do so by his platoon commander.