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 Jesse L. Whitaker (ASN: 240734), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company L, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near St. Etienne-a-Arnes, France, October 3 – 9, 1918. A few minutes before the attack, in an offensive operation, Corporal Whitaker was wounded by a shell fragment but remained with his platoon and led his squad with great courage and initiative during the attack.