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 First Sergeant John J. McGinty (ASN: 243468), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company B, 344th Tank Battalion, Tank Corps, American Expeditionary Forces, at Varennes, France, 26 September 1918. Gathering several scattered infantrymen, Sergeant McGinty led them into the town of Varennes ahead of the tanks and captured a number of prisoners. He then withdrew to the outskirts of the town to direct the advance of several tanks which had arrived. Returning to the attack on foot, he continued forward until a wound compelled him to retire.