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 John J. Gross (ASN: 102629), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company M, 168th Infantry Regiment, 42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Flirey, France, 12 September 1918. When the advance of his company had been held up by a hostile machine gun, Private Gross, single-handed, advanced upon and captured the machine gun and five machine gunners, displaying splendid courage and utter disregard of his own personal danger. By his extraordinary heroism Private Gross saved the lives of many men and permitted his company to continue the advance.