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 Sergeant John A. Hartung (ASN: 2178459), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company B, 354th Infantry Regiment, 89th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Remonville, France, 4 November 1918. While leading his combat group forward, Sergeant Hartung encountered a machine-gun stronghold, which opened fire on his force from three sides. He charged the guns to the front, but he was killed on reaching the line. His valorous act, however, enabled his men to break the line and take the flanking guns, thereby saving many casualties in his platoon.