Joseph H. Johnston

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Joseph H. Johnston, First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action at Beulay, France, October 15, 1918. Lieutenant Johnston led a daylight patrol behind the German front line for the purpose of securing information as to the reported retreat of the enemy. Discovering an enemy machine gun, he led his men in an attempt to capture it, but when they were about twenty-five yards away, the gun opened fire and this officer was mortally wounded. Upon being pulled into a trench by members of the patrol, he manifested no anxiety concerning himself, but urged his men to continue their mission.