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 Second Lieutenant John Albert West (MCSN: 0-3559), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F., in action near Blanc Mont Ridge, France, October 2 – 5, 1918. Second Lieutenant West voluntarily led a reconnaissance patrol under difficult conditions and secured information necessary to an attack. Three days later, after the command of his company had devolved on him, he continued in action in spite of being severely wounded, leading his men to the objective and refusing to be evacuated until proper disposition had been made.