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 Major (Infantry) John G. Emery, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Hill 240, Exermont sector, France, 9 October 1918. Major Emery, with the greatest gallantry and utter disregard for his own safety, personally led the advance of his battalion against the strongly occupied position of the enemy, holding it to the attack by force of leadership, in an extremely thick fog and under heavy enemy artillery and machine-gun fire. When the fog lifted, his battalion was so close upon the enemy that the latter, though equipped with many machine guns, retired from their position. While deliberately proceeding to a vantage point which was under heavy enemy fire, in order that he might better direct the combat, he fell severely wounded by shell fire.