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 Sergeant Gilbert A. Spencer (ASN: 40257), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company K, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Soissons, France, 18 July 1918. After being severely wounded and ordered to the rear by his commanding officer, Sergeant Spencer gathered together about 15 men who were retreating, took them back to the line and turned them over to the commanding officer of his company.