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 Technician Fifth Grade John Allan Wryals (ASN: 14082690), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the Medical Detachment, 145th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at New Georgia, Solomon Islands, on 28 and 31 July 1943, where he repeatedly disregarded his own safety under hazardous circumstances. Seeing an infantry sergeant lying helpless in a path of concentrated fire on the morning of 28 July 1943, Technician Fifth Grade Wryals worked his way to the wounded man and gave him medical treatment while shells were striking all around him. Then he crawled 15 yards with the man on his back until he could carry him to safety. Less than two hours later he crawled out under a barrage of mortar fire to give first aid to a wounded comrade and drag him by the hands to the shelter of a shell-hole. On 31 July he went to within 50 feet on enemy fortifications to treat three casualties. One, an officer, had to be removed by litter. Corporal Wryals shielded the man from heavy fire with his body while he helped to carry the litter from the lines to the safety of a defilade. Technician Fifth Grade Wryals’ 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 37th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.