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) John W. Hamilton, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Bellicourt, France, 29 September 1918. Assuming command of his company when two senior officers became casualties, First Lieutenant Hamilton led his men bravely under heavy fire, continuing in command after being wounded in the arm by a shell splinter. Later when knocked down by a large piece of shell which struck him in the leg, he again refused to leave his men and kept up the advance. He personally led a patrol of three squads into the town of Bellicourt held by the enemy, returning with prisoners and valuable information which aided in the further advance.