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 Allen Pennell Wescott (ASN: 679507), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company G, 311th Infantry Regiment (Attached from Troop C, 2d Cavalry), 78th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Chevieres, France, 21 October 1918. Becoming separated from his own organization, Private Wescott attached himself to an infantry company. While on a patrol he was wounded three times. After the party had been surrounded by German machine-guns, he volunteered to carry a message to the company commander, wading across the Aire River in so doing. After guiding a platoon to the relief of the patrol, he again made several trips to and from the company post of command, crossing the river, though waist deep, five times after being wounded. He was sent to the rear against his vigorous protests, and after being tagged for evacuation he gave further proof of his devotion to duty and unselfishness by helping carry another wounded soldier three miles on a stretcher.