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. Burns (ASN: 89500), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company C, 165th Infantry Regiment, 42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Landres-et-St. Georges, France, 15 October 1918. Assisted by another soldier, Sergeant Burns voluntarily went to the aid of a comrade, who was lying in front of his lines, and in full view of the enemy. After administering first aid, they succeeded in bringing the wounded man to safety.