John J. Finnegan

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John J. Finnegan, Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action at Ourcq River, France, July 28, 1918. While acting as scout and sniper Corporal Finnegan made his way across the Ourcq River, obtained valuable information of the enemy, and returned to his own lines, at all times under intense enemy machine-gun, rifle, artillery, and sniper fire. His company concentrating their fire upon enemy positions indicated by Corporal Finnegan, silenced enemy machine guns. He performed the same mission shortly thereafter, and while so engaged for the third time within a few hours, he was mortally wounded by enemy fire and died upon the field.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John J. Finnegan, Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action in the Champagne- Marne Defensive, France, July 16, 1918. Although suffering from a wound received earlier in the day, Corporal Finnegan exposed himself to direct enemy fire while directing the defense of his position during a stubborn enemy attack. After having been rendered unconscious by an enemy stick grenade he was carried to the dressing station. When he regained consciousness several hours later he insisted upon donning his equipment and returning to his organization where he continued to serve with great bravery until the enemy was repulsed.