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 Sergeant John A. Bell (ASN: 2780031), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Machine-Gun Company, 363d Infantry Regiment, 91st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Waereghem, Belgium, 31 October 1918. Sergeant Bell showed great devotion to duty and extreme bravery under fire when he refused to leave the field until ordered to do so after his arm had been so badly wounded that amputation was necessary.