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 First Lieutenant (Medical Corps) Jefferson B. Fletcher, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Section No. 517, Ambulance Service, American Expeditionary Forces, at Autry (Ardennes), France, 6 October 1918. First Lieutenant Fletcher was on his way to establish an advance aid station during a heavy bombardment when he was wounded by a shell fragment and his right ear drum broken. Two men accompanying him were killed, and the concussion of the exploding shell knocked him into a ditch full of water, where he lay for an hour. Displaying unfaltering devotion to duty, he continued on his mission, established the aid station, and remained in command of his section.