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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) William Thrower Fitts, Jr., United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 117th Infantry Regiment, 30th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Ribeauville, France, 17 October 1918. When a friendly tank appeared suddenly out of the fog and opened fire on his organization, Lieutenant Fitts rushed in front of the tank, signaling it to cease firing. He was wounded in the chest in the performance of this act, but remained with his organization until compelled to go to the rear due to weakness caused from loss of blood.