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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Ethen Sease Koon, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Ypres, Belgium, 31 August 1918. Ignoring his severe wound, suffered in the advance of his platoon against the enemy south of Ypres, Lieutenant Koon remained with his men until all the wounded had been evacuated, and personally directed the reorganization of his position until ordered to the rear by his commanding officer.