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 Corporal Stephen Jona, Jr. (ASN: 63831), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company B, 102d Infantry Regiment, 26th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Marcheville, France, 26 September 1918. During a barrage lasting two hours, Corporal Jona placed his men in the best shelter available, remaining in observation himself, and refused to take cover. He organized a platoon of men who had become separated from their commands and led them forward under a heavy fire from artillery, machine guns, and snipers. Throughout the engagement he was a source of inspiration to his men.