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 James Leland Waters (ASN: 1386776), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company C, 131st Infantry Regiment, 33d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Gressaire Woods, France, 9 August 1918. Showing utter disregard for personal danger, Corporal Waters advanced alone in the face of heavy fire for 100 yards in advance of our lines to attack a machine-gun emplacement, the fire from which was causing heavy casualties. He killed the two men at the enemy gun, permitting a renewal of the advance of his company.