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 James J. Towell (ASN: 189052), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company C, 325th Infantry Regiment, 82d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near St. Juvin, France, 15 October 1918. With remarkable bravery Private Towell carried an important message through heavy enemy artillery and machine-gun fire. Later in the same day, he again demonstrated a spirit of self-sacrifice by going out under heavy fire and bringing in a wounded comrade. In so doing he was twice wounded by a sniper.