The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant Joe Britton (ASN: 1453175), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company I, 138th Infantry Regiment, 35th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Varennes, France, 26 September 1918. Sergeant Britton was in command of a platoon which became separated from the rest of the company in a heavy fog. Entering Varennes in advance of any other troops, Sergeant Britton, with his command occupied the southern edge of the town in the face of heavy machine-gun fire and took 24 prisoners. When he saw that the odds were hopelessly against him he successfully withdrew, with only one casualty. Later, after being gassed, he manifested exceptional courage and endurance by remaining on duty with his company and advancing in the attack.