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 Paul Johnson (ASN: 275289), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company M, 127th Infantry Regiment, 32d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Gesnes, France, 14 October 1918. When the battalion was held up by heavy machine-gun fire, he volunteered to go forward 250 yards and help in establishing a position to neutralize the enemy fire. Although wounded, he remained at his post for seven hours, under heavy fire till the enemy position was taken by assault.