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 Sergeant James E. Porter (ASN: 42309), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company C, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Sommerance, France, 9 October 1918. During the attack on Hill 272, Sergeant Porter, with four men, exposed himself to heavy machine-gun fire in order to attack an enemy machine gun which was causing heavy casualties among his company. Although all his men were either killed or wounded, he succeeded in capturing the gun. Due to his gallantry, his company was able to continue the advance.