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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Cedric Charles Benz, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 111th Infantry Regiment, 28th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, while trying to assist a wounded companion in the attack on Hill 204, west of Chateau-Thierry, France, 1 July 1918. First Lieutenant Benz discovered a party of Germans, and with the aid of two wounded soldiers boldly rushed them and made 38 prisoners.