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 Private First Class James Flavian Lavery, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Quartermaster Corps, during an engagement with hostile Mexicans at Nogales, Arizona, and Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, on the 27th of August, 1918. Private Lavery, braving the heaviest fire, repeatedly entered the zone of fire with his motor truck and carried wounded men to places of safety, thereby saving the lives of several soldiers.