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 Captain (Infantry) Ralph Slate, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 39th Infantry Regiment, 4th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Bois-de-Septsarges, France, 27 September 1918. After being wounded in a previous action, Captain Slate led his command in the face of unusual machine-gun fire, repeatedly exposing himself to prevent his units from becoming scattered and strengthening and holding his line, until again severely wounded.