John A. Leach

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John A. Leach, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near La Franquette Farm, France, July 22, 1918. While his unit was in close contact with the enemy, a spy circulated a report that the company had been ordered to withdraw. Those who thus retired were shot down by the enemy. During the disorder that followed, Sergeant Leach fearlessly reorganized the platoon under close-range enemy fire. Due to his heroic example, the men of his platoon held their ground and repulsed the strong enemy attack which followed.