The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Joseph Samuel Cecil, United States Army, for most distinguished gallantry on 7 March 1906, while serving with 19th Infantry, in action at Mount Bud Dajo, Jolo, Philippine Islands. While at the head of the column about to assault the first cotta under a superior fire at short range, First Lieutenant Cecil personally carried to a sheltered position a wounded man and the body of one who was killed beside him.