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 Captain (Infantry) Paul Nutwell Starlings, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Berzy-le-Sec, France, 21 July 1918. In spite of the fact that returning wounded men informed that it was impossible to take Bezy-le-Sec, Captain Starlings led his company forward with courage and determination under steady fire, and thereby gave invaluable aid in the assault in which he knew his command was the last reserve.