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) Albert McAuley Smith, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism while serving with 339th Infantry, 85th Division (Detachment in North Russia), in action at Selzo, Russia, 21 September 1918. While leading his platoon in an attack on a strong enemy position, Lieutenant Smith was severely wounded in the side. Concealing his condition from the men, he continued to direct his platoon, fearlessly exposing himself to fire throughout the action which followed an unsuccessful attack.