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 First Class John L. B. Sullivan (ASN: 88992), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Machine-Gun Company, 165th Infantry Regiment, 42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, north of the River Ourcq, 29 July 1918, while advancing against the enemy. No messengers being available, Private Sullivan volunteered to carry messages from the machine-gun company commander to the battalion commander, crossing an open valley swept by machine-gun and shellfire, part of the distance of 200 meters being in water waist deep. This journey accomplished twice within an hour made possible proper liaison between the company and battalion commander.