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 Mechanic Russell C. Smith (ASN: 1284053), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company B, 115th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Verdun, France, 15 October 1918. While carrying a message to the battalion commander, in the Bois-de-Consenvoye, Mechanic Smith was caught in an artillery barrage and severely wounded. Greatly exhausted, he refused medical attention and continued with the message until he reached the battalion headquarters.