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 Lain Dobbs (ASN: 52670), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company B, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Verdun, France, 4 October 1918. While attacking woods protected by machine guns, Sergeant Dobbs, in command of a small patrol, was surrounded by about 50 of the enemy. Under his direction the party succeeded in killing or wounding many of the enemy, causing the remainder to withdraw. Although affected by gas, he continued to fight on, until seriously wounded by shell fire.