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 (Infantry) Joseph William Lawlor, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 118th Infantry Regiment, 30th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at St. Martin-Riviere, France, 17 October 1918. Being the only officer left with the company, Lieutenant Lawlor was ordered to clear a village of the enemy. Most of his command became separated from him in a dense fog, but with his one remaining squad he proceeded to accomplish his mission. Lieutenant Lawler and one soldier came upon a hundred Germans operating machine guns from behind a hedge and succeeded in capturing 50 of the enemy. This officer then pursued the others, exchanging shots with a German officer as he ran.