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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) John H. Pratt, Jr., United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 47th Infantry Regiment, 4th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Bazoches, France, August 7 – 9, 1918. Second Lieutenant Pratt was untiring and fearless at all times in the performance of his duties as liaison officer. Under heavy fire he made three exceptionally hazardous trips with messages of vital importance when other means of communication had failed, volunteering for this service.