John J. Owens

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John J. Owens, First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action at Fismette, France, August 12 – 19, 1918. While occupying the town with his company, and although it was continuously under shellfire, machine-gun fire, and deluged with gas, Lieutenant Owens displayed the highest order of courage, resolution, and leadership in holding the town against repeated attacks for six days, and though badly gassed remained with it until the company was relieved.