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 Sergeant John W. Norton (ASN: 557080), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company I, 39th Infantry Regiment, 4th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near St. Thibault, France, 6 August 1918. While leading his platoon toward the Vesle River, Sergeant Norton encountered extreme machine-gun fire. Exposing himself to determine the exact location from which this fire was being made, he was seriously wounded, but he continued to direct the fire of his men, even after he was no longer able to move with them. His action greatly aided his platoon to advance and join the remainder of the company.