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) James Julian Pirtle, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 59th Infantry Regiment, 4th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in the Bois-du-Fays, France, October 4 – 5, 1918. Throughout the engagement in the Bois-du-Fays Lieutenant Pirtle led his men with absolute disregard for his personal safety. He walked up and down the lines under intense enemy machine-gun and artillery fire, encouraging his men and consolidating his position. His courageous example contributed greatly to the success of the operation in which his organization was engaged. He continued in action until severely wounded in the knee and was carried from the field.