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 Corporal Joseph Pruette (ASN: 100536), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company G, 168th Infantry Regiment, 42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, east of Grand Pre, France, 16 October 1918. After a daring dash with his platoon across open ground swept by machine-gun fire, Corporal Pruette saw an enemy machine-gun crew preparing to open fire upon the flank and rear of his position. Single-handed he attacked, using enemy grenades, and drove the crew into a dugout. Bombing the entrance of the dugout, he effected the capture of four German officers, 64 men and four heavy machine-guns. With remarkable gallantry this soldier removed an obstacle that critically threatened a success already gained.