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) Wilbur F. Leitzell, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 107th Machine-Gun Battalion, 28th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Apremont, France, 1 October 1918. Captain Leitzell exposed himself to heavy fire in order to place his machine guns in action against an enemy counterattack. Due to his initiative and gallantry the enemy attack was repulsed without the aid of supporting Infantry. Later, the commander of arriving Infantry support being wounded, Captain Leitzell took command of the Infantry and led them to their positions. While in the performance of this act he was seriously wounded.