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) Robert Bly, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 168th Infantry Regiment, 42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Cote-de-Chatillon, France, 15 October 1918. Leading his own and another company by a flanking movement around Hill 288 in the face of terrific machine-gun fire, Lieutenant Bly, with remarkable courage and skill, reached the enemy’s line and effected the capture of a strongly fortified and entrenched position on the crest of the hill, together with numerous machine-guns, 92 prisoners, and 1 minenwerfer. He personally took charge of the minenwerfer and turned it on the enemy, firing all then-available ammunition. During these operations this officer himself killed or captured two complete machine-gun crews. Later in the day he again led his company forward and captured Hill 242, together with another minenwerfer, under circumstances which required the greatest determination and courage.