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 Lieutenant (Infantry) John A. Mitchell, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Bellicourt, France, 29 September 1918. Hearing cries of distress from a disabled tank, Lieutenant Mitchell, assisted by a soldier, advanced in the face of terrific machine-gun and shell fire to the spot. Notwithstanding the fact that the tank was subjected to point-blank fire of artillery, he succeeded in rescuing the badly wounded tank commander and removing him to a place of safety.