John W. Friel

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John W. Friel, Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Eyne, Belgium, November 2, 1918. In full view of the enemy and under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire, Corporal Friel, with two other men, swam the Escaut River and assisted in the construction of a footbridge. The construction of this bridge aided materially in the later successful operations of American troops in this vicinity.