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 E. West (ASN: 1285024), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company F, 115th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Verdun, France, October 8 – 16, 1918, in the Bois-de-Consenvoye on 8 October and the Bois-de-Grande Montagne on October 16. Sergeant West ably led his platoon with extreme courage and gallantry, and by his conduct inspired the men of his platoon to greater effort. This soldier led a detachment against a strongly protected enemy machine-gun nest and successfully took the position under heavy fire.