The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant Carl F. Payson (ASN: 261851), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company C, 125th Infantry Regiment, 32d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Cierges, northeast of Chateau-Thierry, France, on 1 August 1918. During the attack made by the company on the village of Cierges, Sergeant Payson was mortally wounded in the head by a machine-gun bullet. He succeeded in keeping on his feet, however, and with the attacking wave, encouraged them, and by his strong will power he instilled in them all the spirit of fearlessness.