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 First Class James E. Bracey (ASN: 154431), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company A, 1st Engineers, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, north of Exermont, France, 9 October 1918. During the attack on Hill 269, when his group came under direct machine-gun fire, Sergeant Bracey skillfully advanced his men and then alone he rushed and captured the enemy gunner. His gallant act enabled other members of his group to close in on the enemy without loss, capturing the gun and forcing five of the enemy to surrender.