John I. Beck

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John I. Beck, Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action at Fossoy, France, July 15, 1918. After the remainder of his platoon had become casualties, Corporal Beck, with five other soldiers, succeeded in holding his platoon position against a flank attack by the enemy, inspiring his men by his courage to pour a deadly fire into the ranks of the approaching Germans. Though he was wounded by machine-gun bullet, he refused to leave his post until he was finally ordered to be evacuated.