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 Aspirant Louis Praly, Army of France, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 350th Tank Company, French Tank Corps, Army of France, near Gesnes, France, 4 October 1918. Commanding one of the tank sections, which was preceding the advance of the American infantry, Aspirant Praly displayed exceptional bravery in destroying machine-gun nests until his tank received a direct hit from the enemy’s artillery. Notwithstanding that his tank was unable to continue forward and that he himself was wounded, Aspirant Praly continued to operate his guns until all his ammunition was exhausted.