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 Francisco (ASN: 1390657), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company M, 132d Infantry Regiment, 33d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in the Bois-de-Foret, France, 12 October 1918. Sergeant Francisco, then a Private, displayed remarkable heroism and leadership. During the afternoon, the enemy made three strong counterattacks, and it was during these attacks that Sergeant Francisco gathered together fragments of squads and assumed command of them. He led them against the enemy, approaching from the rear of the right flank, and was personally responsible for the capture of four machine guns and five prisoners.