John B. Mcdonald

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John B. McDonald, Brigadier General, U.S. Army, for repeated acts of extraordinary heroism in action near Epinonville, France, September 26 – 30, 1918. General McDonald was almost continuously present with the leading elements of his brigade, inspiring his troops by his personal bravery and energy under fire. Near Epinonville, when his command was about to make an attack, and was under heavy artillery fire, General McDonald, by his disregard for personal safety, steadied his men and stimulated them to successful assault on the ridge forming part of the German main line of resistance. Two days later, with one flank exposed by the withdrawal of the unit on the right, he led his brigade in the attack on and capture of Gesnes.