John Lawrence Letzing

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John Lawrence Letzing, Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action north of Montfaucon, France, September 29, 1918. During the attack Lieutenant Letzing exposed himself to heavy artillery, rifle, and machine-gun fire to lead tanks against enemy machine-gun positions. After the tanks had been withdrawn he walked up and down the firing line of his platoon and encouraged his men to greater efforts.