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 Ferdinando Bonavantura (ASN: 2405383), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company B, 309th Infantry Regiment, 78th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near St. Juvin, France, 19 October 1918. Private Bonavantura, armed with an automatic rifle, captured a machine gun single handed under heavy flanking fire from machine guns. The gun was supported by a squad of infantry, whom he forced to flee. Later he led a detail far into the enemy lines, encouraging his men by his fearless example.