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 Sergeant George Watkins (ASN: 1515210), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company D, 135th Machine-Gun Battalion, 37th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Cierges, France, September 27 – 28, 1918. After being thrice wounded Sergeant Watkins continued to lead his section in action against the enemy under severe machine-gun and direct artillery fire. Though he had been ordered to the rear by his platoon commander, he returned to his section as soon as his wounds had been dressed.