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) Charles Ridgely, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Berzy-le-Sec, France, 21 July 1918. During the final attack on Soissons, Lieutenant Ridgely, advancing in front of his assault waves, alone charged a machine-gun position which was delivering a punishing fire on our troops. He killed both gunners and captured the gun.