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 H. Ale, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company M, 355th Infantry Regiment, 89th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, north of Flirey, France, 12 September 1918. After having been badly wounded early in the action, losing his right hand and being wounded in both legs and the chest, Lieutenant Ale returned to his platoon and addressed the men, telling them he was unable to go with them, but that he had confidence in their ability to go ahead without him, and urged them to sustain the high reputation of the platoon, company, and battalion, thereby inspiring his men with his own personal courage to advance.