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 Corporal John C. Graves (ASN: 181245), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company A, 1st Gas Regiment, American Expeditionary Forces, near Nantillois, France, 5 October 1918. After other means of communication had failed Corporal Graves voluntarily carried messages from the regimental post of command to advanced positions through several enemy barrages of gas and high-explosive shells. He continued on duty, even after being wounded, until he was exhausted.