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 Colonel (Infantry), [then Major] Evan Elias Lewis, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 102d Infantry Regiment, 26th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Marcheville, France, 26 September 1918. Being second in command of the assaulting troops, Colonel Lewis displayed great bravery and rare initiative. While under terrific artillery and machine-gun fire he reorganized scattered units, established and organized positions in depth, set up liaison from front to rear, and in hand-to-hand fighting personally led his men, inspiring in them a confidence and tenacity of purpose that were productive of success.



