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) Howard G. Smith, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 168th Infantry Regiment, 42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in the Bois-de-Romagne, France, 15 October 1918. Lieutenant Smith was wounded early in the engagement but he declined to be evacuated, although he was suffering much pain. He brilliantly led his platoon in a charge on four machine-guns, which he captured, together with many prisoners, and was instrumental in clearing the Bois De Romagne of the enemy under terrific machine-gun fire. Throughout the action his leadership, courage, and determination inspired the greatest confidence. When he was partly overcome by the loss of blood he volunteered to guide 60 prisoners back over a shell-swept area, but refused medical treatment until the prisoners were delivered at battalion headquarters.