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 Sergeant John A. Leach (ASN: 552565), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company H, 38th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near La Franquette Farm, France, 22 July 1918. While his unit was in close contact with the enemy, a spy circulated a report that the company had been ordered to withdraw. Those who thus retired were shot down by the enemy. During the disorder that followed, Sergeant Leach fearlessly reorganized the platoon under close-range enemy fire. Due to his heroic example, the men of his platoon held their ground and repulsed the strong enemy attack which followed.