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 Staff Sergeant John Lee Mohl (ASN: 20929233), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 163d Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 19 January 1943, during the Papuan Campaign at Sanananda, New Guinea. When the forward section of the platoon he was leading was stopped by heavy fire from enemy snipers and pillboxes and cut off from the remainder of the platoon, Staff Sergeant Mohl moved the section rapidly to a position under the bank of a creek which provided partial cover. Disposing his men to cover his advance, and then worked his way alone to the nearest enemy pillbox by crawling between the fire lanes from its two sides, and silenced it with grenades. He was then joined by another soldier from his platoon and the two advanced into the enemy position. Taking cover in shell holes and behind the captured pillboxes from heavy cross fire, they destroyed five more pillboxes by the use of hand grenades, rifle and submachine gun fire. Although the night had come on and his supply of grenades was exhausted, Staff Sergeant Mohl then brought the eight unwounded men from his advance section and held the captured area until reinforcements arrived. Staff Sergeant Mohl’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 41st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.