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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private John Andres, Jr. (ASN: 553961), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company C, 8th Machine-Gun Battalion, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Cierges, France, 5 October 1918. As the company runner Private Andres repeatedly carried important messages across areas swept by artillery and machine-gun fire. Upon returning after delivering a message he picked up an abandoned machine gun of a wounded comrade and bravely bore it forward into the attack 500 meters until killed by enemy machine-gun fire.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private

    Batallion:

    8th Machine-Gun Battalion

    Division:

    3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 4, 1918
    Headquarters, 3d Division, A.E.F., Citation Orders No. 22 (July 8, 1919)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Private John Andres, Jr. (ASN: 553961), United States Army, is cited (Posthumously) by the Commanding General, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the World War I Victory Medals awarded him. While serving with Company C, 8th Machine Gun Battalion, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, on the mourning of 4 October 19128, Private Allen went over in attack with his platoon north of Cierges, France. For six hours he bore messages over the fire-swept field. On returning from his last trip, seeing a machine gunner fall, he rushed over, picked up the gun, and bravely bore it forward for 500 meters in the attack. It was in performing this brave deed that he was shot down and killed by enemy machine gun fire. His bravery under fire was remarkable. [A Distinguished Service Cross was awarded for this action.]