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 Private James W. Barkalow (ASN: 238115), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company C, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Exermont, France, 9 October 1918. After all, except himself and one other man, of two squads had been either killed or wounded, Private Barkalow gathered together seven men and continued to advance in the face of heavy shell and machine-gun fire, capturing an enemy machine gun which had been causing heavy losses in our lines, killing two of the operators and taking the third prisoner. Hen then continued his advance to a trench where he and his men captured 35 additional prisoners. Sending these prisoners to the rear under proper guard he again advanced and captured a trench mortar and five German prisoners, all these acts being performed under heavy fire.