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 Private Zona McKiddy (ASN: 1319188), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Machine-Gun Company, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Bellicourt, France, 29 September 1918. When his platoon had suffered heavy casualties and the runners had been killed by heavy artillery fire, Private McKiddy volunteered to carry a message calling for reinforcements. Making his way through a dense smoke barrage, he succeeded in reaching company headquarters and returning despite the intense bombardment.