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 Corporal Raymond R. Smith (ASN: 559162), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company C, 11th Machine-Gun Battalion, 4th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, northeast of Cunel, France, 12 October 1918. During a heavy bombardment after a shell had struck his machine-gun, knocking it and his squad completely out of action, Corporal Smith assembled three men from another squad and, obtaining another gun, again took up a position on the line and remained throughout the action, as the front was at that time thinly held and in constant danger of counterattack; the prompt initiative and splendid courage on the part of this soldier not only inspired and encouraged his men but aided materially in the success of the action.