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) Joe Brown Peavy, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 327th Infantry Regiment, 82d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Cornay, France, 9 October 1918. Although his command was nearly surrounded and enemy machine-guns were pouring an incessant fire on them, Lieutenant Peavy directed the fire of his men, after having been seriously wounded. He remained during the advance, refusing first aid until those about him needing attention were properly cared for.