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 First Sergeant Thomas Kelly, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism while serving with Company E, 3d Infantry, in action in an engagement with hostile Chipewa Indians at Leech Lake, Minnesota, October 5 – 6, 1918. Sergeant Kelly displayed extraordinary heroism in assuming, upon the death of his commanding officer, the command of the skirmishers on the right of the line. With utter disregard for his own personal safety he so gallantly led and directed his men that this action had much to do with the subsequent victorious result of the engagement.