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) Howard A. Mathews, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 102d Infantry Regiment, 26th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Marcheville, France, 26 September 1918. Lieutenant Mathews displayed unusual courage and devotion to duty under a violent enemy bombardment by continuing in command of two platoons after he was severely wounded.