The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant John W. Smalley (ASN: 2222182), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company M, 358th Infantry Regiment, 90th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Vilcey, France, 12 September 1918. Sergeant Smalley displayed great heroism and disregard of personal danger in attacking an enemy machine-gun nest which was holding up the advance of his group. Assisted by another soldier, he flanked the gun, shot one of the crew, and drove off the others, but was himself killed in the performance of this courageous act.