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 E. Smith (ASN: 53922), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company G, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Soissons, France, 19 July 1918. On his own initiative Sergeant Smith took command of his company when all its officers and its first sergeant had been killed or wounded, and carried forward successfully its part in the day’s attack.