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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Lawrence Donald Butler, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism while serving with Company A, 31st Infantry, American Expeditionary Forces (Siberia), in action near Romanovka, Siberia, 25 June 1919. Although twice wounded, once severely, early in the action and after over fifty per cent of the detachment were casualties and the detachment completely surrounded by the enemy, Lieutenant butler continued courageously to direct the men, and by his heroism, bearing, and skill so inspired the few survivors that they were enabled to completely repulse greatly superior numbers of the enemy.