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) Albert J. Shartle, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 315th Machine-Gun Battalion, 80th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Bethincourt, France, 26 September 1918. Lieutenant Shartle gave proof of courage and unhesitating devotion to duty when be rallied a platoon of infantry held up by intense fire from a machine-gun directly to the front. This officer led the platoon against the hostile strong point, captured it, and fell severely wounded.