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 First Class Jack Cowan (ASN: 2806615), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Machine-Gun Company, 358th Infantry Regiment, 90th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Vilcey, France, during the offensive against the St. Mihiel salient 12 September 1918. As a runner, Private First Class Cowan made four trips through a barrage, carrying important messages from the company command post. At another time he recovered a machine gun, the crew of which had been knocked out by a shell, and carried it unaided to a position where it was put in action. This brave soldier was killed while in the faithful performance of his duties.