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 De Cota (ASN: 59854), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company B, 101st Infantry Regiment, 26th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Verdun, France, 23 October 1918. During the advance of his battalion at Molleville Farm, Sergeant De ‘Cota was rendered unconscious and wounded by the explosion of a shell. Recovering his senses, he quickly rejoined his platoon and led it during the attack. Although suffering from a painful wound in the arm, he remained on duty until ordered to the rear by his company commander late the next day.