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) William Oliver Smith, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 318th Machine-Gun Battalion, 81st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, north of Haudiomont, France, November 9 – 10, 1918. Lieutenant Smith courageously led his machine-gun platoon in an attack on the afternoon of 9 November and later assisted in organizing a position for defense. On 10 November the enemy launched a strong counterattack and the Infantry withdrew under cover of the machine-gun fire. Later, when attacked by greatly superior numbers, Lieutenant Smith defended his position an hour. Although wounded three times, he persisted in his resistance, holding his position until his ammunition was exhausted, when he was taken prisoner by the enemy.