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 Jessie V. Williams (ASN: 96969), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company F, 167th Infantry Regiment, 42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Haumont, France, 15 September 1918. When the platoon he commanded was enfiladed successively by two machine-gun nests, Sergeant Williams disposed his men so that both nests were captured without casualties. He displayed marked personal heroism in the advance, killing one enemy gunner with the butt of his rifle and bayoneting a second. His display of fearlessness was an example that inspired his men.