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 Sergeant Earl Russell Small (ASN: 1248735), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company I, 112th Infantry Regiment, 28th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Montblainville, France, 28 September 1918. In the face of a concentration of enemy machine-gun and rifle fire, Sergeant Small, together with Private Schwing of his company, voluntarily left the shelter of the trenches constantly under observation of the enemy, advanced across open ground a distance of 75 yards, rescued a severely wounded soldier, and carried him to shelter. The bravery and devotion to duty thus displayed inspired and encouraged the members of their command, inciting them to still greater endeavors.