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 Sergeant Samuel John Ralston (ASN: 57507), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company F, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Cantigny, France, 28 May 1918. First Sergeant Ralston commanded a platoon of his company, efficiently leading it in the initial attack and inspiring his men to reach their objective, where they dug in. Two runners having been wounded in an attempt to carry back a message calling for the lengthening of our artillery fire, he obtained permission to leave his platoon, volunteered to carry the message, and successfully delivered it to his regimental commander through a heavy German counter-barrage, the pass of the American barrage, and continuous and intense machine-gun fire, by which he was wounded. He repeatedly refused to be evacuated to the rear, though a serious counterattack was in progress, remaining at regimental headquarters until his recovery.