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 W. Bradford (ASN: 44365), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company M, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in the Argonne-Meuse offensive, 4 October 1918. Consolidating remnants of other platoons with his own, Sergeant Bradford advanced against violent machine-gun fire of the enemy. He directed an attack against two nests, which were reduced and his objective gained. While reconnoitering in front of his objective, he was severely wounded.