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 Allison Ridley, III, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 113th Machine-Gun Battalion, 30th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Bellicourt, France, 29 to 30 September 1918, and near Mazinghein, France, 19 October 1918. Taking command of his company after the company and second in command had been wounded, Lieutenant Ridley lead his men through an intense artillery barrage and assisted in reducing eleven enemy machine-gun nests, capturing 150 prisoners and several machine guns, which were successfully put in operation against the enemy. Near Mazinghein, France, on 19 October he led his company forward to advanced positions under terrific artillery fire, inspiring his men by his coolness and bravery.