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 Corporal John K. Irons (ASN: 736749), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company K, 11th Infantry Regiment, 5th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Bois St. Claude, in the St. Mihiel salient, France, 12 September 1918. After being wounded in the foot by a machine-gun bullet and later in the leg by shrapnel, Corporal Irons continued in the advance of his squad all that day, without medical attention other than his own first aid, thereby displaying exceptional courage and devotion to duty.