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) Norman L. Botsford, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 316th Infantry Regiment, 79th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Montfaucon, France, 28 September 1918. Although suffering from a painful shell wound while leading his platoon, Lieutenant Botsford declined to receive medical attention. He courageously kept on in the advance, bravely leading his men under extremely heavy shell and machine-gun fire until he collapsed. His devotion to duty and example in his wounded condition was a great inspiration to his men.