John M. Black

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John M. Black, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Villette, on the Vesle River, France, August 29 – 30, 1918. Sergeant Black commanded one of four patrols which were sent out to attack and drive out enemy outposts on the railroad embankment a few hundred yards south of the river. As they advanced, the patrols were met by heavy enemy machine-gun and rifle grenade fire which necessitated the withdrawal of three of the patrols. Sergeant Black led his patrol to the railroad, drove out the enemy, and held the position throughout the night and the following day until ordered to retire, although repeatedly attacked by the enemy. During the operations between the Vesle and Aisne Rivers, France, September 7, 1918, Sergeant Black, with utter disregard of his own personal safety, directed the fire of his platoon upon a retreating body of the enemy, and while in this exposed position he was killed in action.