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 John Henry McNeece (ASN: 60422), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company D, 101st Infantry Regiment, 26th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in the Houppy Bois, north of Verdun, France, 23 October 1918. On duty as a runner, Private McNeece repeatedly carried messages under the heaviest shell and machine-gun fire. He also performed heroic service in carrying wounded soldiers to shelter and administering first aid. Though he was almost exhausted, he voluntarily went to the rear under heavy artillery fire and procured food, which he brought back and distributed among his comrades in the shell holes.