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 Sergeant Joseph A. Bouchard (ASN: 1408465), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company G, 5th Ammunition Train, 5th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Septsarges, France, 24 October 1918. When an enemy shell struck some pyrotechnics stored in the ammunition dump of his organization Sergeant Bouchard directed and assisted in the removal of the inflammable material, and placed the fire under control. Through his coolness and courage the destruction of a large quantity of near-by ammunition was avoided.