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) Joseph William George Stephens, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company E, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Soissons, France, 19 July 1918. When necessity arose for a company to advance to an important position in the fighting near Soissons, Captain Stephens led his command through a heavy shelled area with conspicuous bravery, reached his objective and directed his men to a successful attack until so seriously wounded as to necessitate his evacuation.