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 Corporal Matt Leon Stevens (ASN: 263344), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company E, 125th Infantry Regiment, 32d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, throughout the advance across the River Ourcq and to Fismes, France, on the south bank of the Vesle River, July 31 to 8 August 1918. Corporal Stevens, then a private was a runner for his company and was engaged day and night in carrying messages throughout machine-gun and artillery fire. He did his work without fear or hesitation, thereby keeping constant liaison with higher authority. During times not so occupied he administered aid to the wounded, crawling to stricken comrades at imminent risk of his own life, through areas swept by machine-gun fire. Through disregard of danger he was the means of saving many wounded men.