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 Captain (Infantry) Rutherford Ireland, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 106th Infantry Regiment, 27th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near St. Souplet, France, 18 October 1918. Captain Ireland continued to lead his battalion in attack, although suffering great pain from a wound caused by shell fire. After being ordered to the dressing station, he had his wound dressed without waiting to have the shrapnel removed, returning to his battalion, and remaining on duty for two days.