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 Zych (ASN: 1277367), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company H, 113th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, during the action in the vicinity of Hagenbach, Alsace, east of Belfort, France, 21 August 1918. In an enemy raid on the position held by his regiment Private Zych had his right eye shot out at the beginning of the action. He applied first aid himself, went back to his battle position, assisted in driving off the raiding party, operated his rifle until the end of the action, and continued to fire upon the retreating Germans as long as they could be seen.