Gunnery sergeant, United States Marine Corps. "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy near Chateau-Thierry, France, June 6, 1918. Immediately after the company to which he belonged had reached its objective on Hill 142, several hostile counterattacks were launched against the line before the new position had been consolidated. Gunnery Sergeant Janson was attempting to organize a position on the north slope of the hill when he saw 12 of the enemy, armed with five light machine guns, crawling toward his group. Giving the alarm, he rushed the hostile detachment, bayonetted the two leaders, and forced the others to flee, abandoning their guns. His quick action, initiative, and courage drove the enemy from a position from which they could have swept the hill with machine-gun fire and forced the withdrawal of our troops." (Act of February 4, 1919.)
Fireman, first class, serving on board the U.S.S. _Potomac_, for extraordinary bravery in line of duty, volunteering to enter the fireroom filled with live steam and open the auxiliary valve at the time of the accident to the forward boiler of that vessel en route from Cat Island to Nassau on the night of November 14, 1898. After repeated attempts, enveloped from head to feet in wet blankets and wet towels over his face, he succeeded in getting the valve open and thus relieving the vessel of all further danger. (G.O. 503, December 13, 1898.)
Seaman on board of the U.S.S. _Florida_; for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession during the seizure of Vera Cruz, Mexico, April 21, 1914. (G.O. 116, August 19, 1914.)
Seaman on board the U.S.S. _Cincinnati_, in an attack on the Vicksburg batteries May 27, 1863, conspicuous for coolness and bravery under a severely accurate fire. "This was no ordinary case of performance of duty." (G.O. 17, July 10, 1863.)
Seaman, serving on board the U.S.S. _Marblehead_, for heroism and gallantry under fire of the enemy, while cutting cables at Cienfuegos, Cuba, May 11, 1898. (G.O. 529, November 2, 1899.)
Ordinary seaman, serving on board the U.S.S. _Nashville_, for extraordinary bravery and coolness while cutting the cables leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, May 11, 1898, under a heavy fire of the enemy. (G.O. 521, July 7, 1899.)