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 W. Smith (ASN: 2664348), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company G, 320th Infantry Regiment, 80th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, during the Meuse-Argonne offensive, France, 26 September 1918. When the advance of his platoon had been temporarily halted by intensive fire from an enemy machine-gun nest, Private Smith displayed exceptional bravery and leadership when, on his own initiative, he organized a number of scattered troops and courageously led them forward, capturing the machine guns and several prisoners, thus enabling his platoon to continue the advance.