John E. Shrum
Distinguished Service Cross
U.S. Army
World War I
General Orders No. No. 3, W.D., 1921
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John E. Shrum, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Soissons, France, July 19, 1918. Private Shrum, although wounded, delivered an important message for his platoon commander. In order to accomplish this mission, it was necessary for him to cross an area swept by enemy machine-gun fire.