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 James Milton Zirkle (ASN: 1287160), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company A, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Samogneux, France, 17 October 1918. Private Zirkle volunteered and carried messages from battalion headquarters to the front line through artillery and machine-gun fire. He not only maintained effective liaison with his company, but also furnished an inspiring example of coolness and bravery to his comrades.