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 Lieutenant (Infantry) George Hunter McMaster, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while in command of Company H, 24th Infantry, which was held up in the crossing of the Rio Grande de Cagayan, Philippine Islands, 7 December 1899, by rifle fire from a well-entrenched enemy on the opposite bank, and being without rafts or boats with which to cross, Lieutenant McMaster volunteered to swim the river. Displaying great gallantry and utmost disregard of his own life, with a party of five men he swam the river in the face of a heavy rifle fire and with reinforcements which later joined him drove the enemy from their trenches and then through and out of the town, thereby making possible the further advance of his command.