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 Ira L. Wescott (ASN: 281389), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company M, 126th Infantry Regiment, 32d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Juvigny, France, August 28 – 30, 1918. Sergeant Wescott, as second in command, accompanied a small combat patrol which successfully attacked an enemy trench up by 30 of the enemy, with machine-guns, driving the enemy from the trench and inflicting many casualties. When the patrol leader was severely wounded, Sergeant Wescott took command and immediately reorganized the patrol, holding the captured position despite a severe harassing fire from the enemy, until relief came.