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) John W. Leach, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 117th Infantry Regiment, 30th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Bellicourt, France, 29 September 1918. About 6.30 in the morning of September 29 Lieutenant Leach received a serious wound which rendered his right arm useless. Notwithstanding his suffering and weakness from loss of blood he continued to lead his platoon toward its objective until after 1 o’clock on that day, when he became so exhausted and weak that he was ordered to the aid station by his commanding officer and from there was evacuated to the hospital.