Distinguished Service Cross Recipients from Wisconsin during World War One (A-D)
Distinguished Service Cross Recipients from Wisconsin during World War I A-D
Read here of the deeds of these brave heroes and do not forget them!
The names which are preceded by an asterisk denote posthumous awards.
This table lists the recipients by date, they are listed alphabetically below.
Adams, John Ora
Adler, Nick
Allen, Gardner Philip
First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army Air Service
8th Aero Squadron, A.E.F.
Date of Action: October 9, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Gardner Philip Allen, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action near Thiaucourt, France, October 9, 1918. Lieutenant Allen, observer, with First Lieutenant Edward Russell Moore, pilot, took advantage of a short period of fair weather during generally unfavorable atmospheric conditions to undertake a photographic mission behind the German lines. Accompanied by two protecting planes, they had just commenced their mission when they were attacked by eight enemy planes, which followed them throughout their course, firing at the photographic plane. Lieutenant Moore, pilot, with both flying wires cut by bullets, a landing wire shot away, his elevators riddled with bullets, and both wings punctured, continued on the prescribed course, although it made him an easy target. Lieutenant Allen was thus enabled in the midst of the attack to take pictures of the exact territory assigned, and he made no attempt to protect the plane with his machine guns. Displaying entire disregard for personal danger and steadfast devotion to duty, these two officers successfully accomplished their mission.
General Orders No. No. 145, W.D., 1918
Born: at Green Bay, Wisconsin
Home Town: Flint, Michigan
Anderson, Walter N.
First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army
363d Infantry Reg., 91st Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action: September 26, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Walter N. Anderson, First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Very, France, September 26, 1918. With the aid of an enlisted man, Lieutenant Anderson attacked a nest of enemy snipers and succeeded in killing two, wounding one, and taking the remaining two as prisoners.
General Orders No. 37, W.D., 1919
Born: at Marionette, Wisconsin
Home Town: Berkeley, California
Arpin, Edmund P.
First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army
128th Infantry Reg., 32d Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action: October 7, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Edmund P. Arpin, First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Gesnes, France, October 7, 1918. First Lieutenant Arpin volunteered to lead and led a platoon of forty-one men in an attack on Hill 269. Although all but four became casualties, this small group, under the leadership of Lieutenant Arpin, continued on its mission, took the hill, and held it for some time without hope of reinforcements.
General Orders No. No. 47, W.D., 1921
Born: at Grand Rapids, Wisconsin
Home Town: Grand Rapids, Wisconsin
Austermann, Richard W.
Second Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army
128th Infantry Reg., 32d Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action: August 8, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Richard W Austermann, Second Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Fismes, France, August 8, 1918. Lieutenant Austermann collected several groups of disorganized men from different companies, organized a patrol, and, advancing across a creek, so deployed his men as to pour a cross fire on enemy machine-gun nests. Observing other nests then out of range, he led a volunteer squad and cleaned out three more machine-gun nests. Lieutenant Austermann continued with the squad and put out of action three more nests.
General Orders No. No. 143, W.D., 1918
Born: at Waukesha, Wisconsin
Home Town: Loyal, Wisconsin
*Austin, Edwin
Private, U.S. Army
Company F, 127th Infantry Reg., 32d Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action: July 30, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Edwin Austin, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Roncheres, France, July 30, 1918. Private Austin volunteered to go out in advance of our front lines and bring back wounded, who had been left there when his company was with-drawn. He made two trips, under heavy fire, bringing back wounded with the aid of another soldier, but was killed by machine-gun fire when he went out for the third time.
General Orders 66, W.D., 1919
Born: at Tavining, Michigan
Home Town: Shawano, Wisconsin
Becker, Edward
First Sergeant, U.S. Army
Company L, 128th Infantry Reg., 32d Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action: August 30 and October 8, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Edward Becker, First Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action at Juvigny, France, August 30, 1918, and in the Argonne Forest, France, October 8, 1918. During the attack on Juvigny, when all the officers in his company had been wounded, Sergeant Becker immediately took command of the company and led them in the attack. After the engagement he supervised and assisted in the work of clearing the field of wounded, working under incessant machine-gun and artillery fire. In the Argonne Woods, October 8, when the advance of his organization was held up by cleverly concealed enemy machine guns, Sergeant Becker, with an officer, exposed himself to the enemy fire while reconnoitering the enemy positions. As a result of their observations the company was successfully disposed with only three casualties.
General Orders 98, W.D., 1919
Born: at Sparta, Wisconsin
Home Town: Sparta, Wisconsin
Billis, Gust
Sergeant, U.S. Army
Company A, 113th Infantry Reg., 29th Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action: October 12, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Gust Billis, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Bois-d’Amont, France October 12, 1918. With disregard for his personal safety, Sergeant Billis saved the life of an officer of his company by attacking and killing two Germans who were about to strike the officer in the back. Later the same day he attacked, of his own accord, several machine- gun nests, always returning with prisoners, machine guns, or both.
General Orders No. 32, W.D., 1919
Born: at Greece
Home Town: Menomonie, Wisconsin
Bischoff, Clifford E.
First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army
128th Infantry Reg., 32d Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action: August 29 & September 2, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Clifford E. Bischoff, First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Juvigny, France, August 29, and September 2, 1918. Rendered unconscious by a bursting shell, which wounded his company commander, Lieutenant Bischoff took command of his company as soon as he regained consciousness and later assumed command of the battalion when the battalion commander was gassed. After being relieved of command he went forward on a reconnaissance with one soldier and the two of them alone captured 75 of the enemy.
General Orders No. 32, W.D., 1919
Born: at Superior, Wisconsin
Home Town: Superior, Wisconsin
Biwan, Joseph
Private First Class, U.S. Army
Headquarters Company, 120th Field Artillery, 32d Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action: August 4 – 5, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Joseph Biwan, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action at St. Gilles, near Fismes, France, August 4 – 5, 1918. Throughout two days Private First Class Biwan maintained the telephone lines running into battalion headquarters, making frequent repairs of the lines amid falling walls and heavy bombardment by both gas and high-explosive shells.
General Orders No. No. 139, W.D., 1918
Born: at Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Home Town: Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Bleasdale, Redwald H.
Private, U.S. Army
Headquarters Company, 30th Infantry Reg., 3d Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action: July 15, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Redwald H. Bleasdale, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Mezy, France, July 15, 1918. Private Bleasdale remained with his gun during a heavy bombardment, until his gun pit was blown in, and then removed his gun to another position and continued the fire under heavy machine-gun fire. Later, in the same action, he volunteered and went to reconnoiter a small woods believed to be occupied by enemy troops. There he killed several Germans single handed, and returned to our lines with an American soldier.
General Orders No. 32, W.D., 1919
Born: at Janesville, Wisconsin
Home Town: Janesville, Wisconsin
Bleasdale, Victor F.
First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps
6th Machine-Gun Battalion, 6th Reg. (Marines), 2d Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action: October 8, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Victor F. Bleasdale, First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, for repeated acts of extraordinary heroism while serving with the 6th Machine-Gun Battalion, 6th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F. in action near Blanc Mont, France, October 8, 1918. On several occasions, regardless of his personal safety, First Lieutenant Bleasdale led his machine-gun platoon through heavy machine-gun and artillery fire. When the Infantry company which he was supporting was halted by the fire of two enemy Maxims, Lieutenant Bleasdale formed his platoon as infantry, assaulted and captured both the enemy guns.
General Orders No. 21, W.D., 1919
Born: at Matamau, Norsewood, New Zealand
Home Town: Janesville, Wisconsin
Other Award: Navy Cross (Same Action), Navy Cross w/Gold Star (2nd Nicaraguan Campaign)
Blomberg, Henry S.
First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army
127th Infantry Reg., 32d Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action: August 30, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Henry S. Blomberg, First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Juvigny, north of Soissons, France, August 30, 1918. Inspiring his men by his own personal bravery, Lieutenant Blomberg vigorously led his company forward in the face of heavy machine-gun and artillery fire, capturing the heights overlooking Juvigny, with many prisoners. After reaching the objective he repeatedly exposed himself to hostile fire time after time in reorganizing the line. During the defense of the position won he personally set up and operated a captured German machine gun against the enemy while under terrific fire.
General Orders No. No. 143, W.D., 1918
Born: at Superior, Wisconsin
Home Town: Superior, Wisconsin
Bonack, Paul J.
Sergeant, U.S. Army
Company L, 127th Infantry Reg., 32d Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action: August 30, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Paul J. Bonack, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Juvigny, France, August 30, 1918. When his company was stopped by a concealed machine-gun nest, Sergeant Bonnack ascertained its position and courageously attacked it. , single-handed, upon his how initiative, killing the crew and enabling his company to continue the advance.
General Orders 98, W.D., 1919
Born: at Three Lakes, Wisconsin
Home Town: Three Lakes, Wisconsin
Breese, Clinton S.
Second Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army Air Service
12th Aero Squadron, A.E.F.
Date of Action: November 2, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Clinton S. Breese, Second Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action near Argonne, France, November 2, 1918. While on an infantry contact mission, Lieutenant Breese and his pilot were attacked by four enemy planes and driven back, but realizing the importance of their mission, deliberately returned and attacked the four planes, sending one to the earth and driving the others away. Unmindful of the damaged condition of their plane and of their own danger, they then flew for an hour within 100 meters of the ground through a continuous heavy machine-gun fire until they had accurately located our front line positions.
General Orders No. 32, W.D., 1919
Born: at Waukesha, Wisconsin
Home Town: Waukesha, Wisconsin
*Brockman, William L.
Private First Class, U.S. Army
Company A, 150th Machine-Gun Battalion, 42d Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action: July 15, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William L. Brockman, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Auberive, France, July 15, 1918. Private Brockman continued to operate his machine gun against the attacking enemy after all other members of the crew had been killed. Then, going forward to rescue a wounded comrade, was himself instantly killed.
General Orders No. No. 3, W.D., 1935
Born: at Appleton, Wisconsin
Home Town: Appleton, Wisconsin
Brown, Albert B.
Sergeant, U.S. Army
Medical Detachment, 121st Field Artillery (Attached), 32d Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action: August 7 & 14, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Albert B. Brown, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near St. Gilles, south of Fismes, France, August 7 and 14, 1918. When a bombardment was laid down on the batteries of his regiment Sergeant Brown, on his own initiative, rushed his detachment to the assistance of the wounded, administering first aid and evacuating the wounded in spite of continued enemy shelling. On another occasion, when he was severely gassed and blinded by the explosion of a mustard gas shell, he made his way to a telephone and summoned medical assistance for the wounded, exposing himself to the increased danger from the effect of gas in order that the other wounded might be cared for.
General Orders No. 20, W.D., 1919
Born: at Sandusky, Ohio
Home Town: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Bub, Elroy
Private, U.S. Army
Headquarters Company, 30th Infantry Reg., 3d Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action: July 15, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Elroy Bub, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Mezy, France, July 15, 1918. Private Bub successfully carried messages through terrific artillery and machine-gun fire and was wounded while performing the mission.
General Orders No. 32, W.D., 1919
Born: at Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Home Town: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Buck, Benjamin
Corporal, U.S. Army
Company G, 128th Infantry Reg., 32d Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action: October 14, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Benjamin Buck, Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Romagne, France, October 14, 1918. Corporal Buck advanced alone beyond the front lines, through a terrific barrage and in the face of unusually active machine-gun fire, to the rescue of a wounded comrade. While making his way through the wood he came upon two other members of the company whom he utilized as a patrol attacking and capturing an enemy machine-gun nest, together with six prisoners. He then went to the rescue of the wounded soldier, forcing the prisoners to carry the man to the rear.
General Orders 98, W.D., 1919
Born: at Shawano, Wisconsin
Home Town: Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Bump, Arthur L.
Colonel (Infantry), U.S. Army
56th Infantry Reg., 7th Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action: November 2, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Arthur L. Bump, Colonel (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Preny, France, November 2, 1918. While his regiment was being subjected to an intense enemy bombardment Colonel Bump visited every platoon in the front line and so encouraged and inspired his men by his bravery that they successfully met and repulsed every counterattack made upon them.
General Orders No. 37, W.D., 1919
Born: at Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Home Town: New London, Ohio
Burr, George E.
Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army
Company C, 107th Field Signal Battalion, 32d Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action: August 2, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to George E. Burr, Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Cierges, France, August 2, 1918. Sergeant Burr, in charge of a detachment, strung wire far in advance of the front lines, working through a heavy artillery fire, to the point where the regimental post of command was to be situated, 100 yards from the enemy line. When he was ordered to leave one man at the instrument, while the rest of the detachment returned to the rear, Sergeant Burr himself volunteered, and remained alone at this dangerous position.
General Orders No. No. 147, W.D., 1918
Born: at Hill City, South Dakota
Home Town: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
*Burton, Edward A.
First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army
128th Infantry Reg., 32d Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action: August 1, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Edward A. Burton, First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Cierges, France, August 1, 1918. Lieutenant Burton was mortally wounded while carrying a wounded man from a position exposed to artillery and machine-gun fire, but, regardless of his own suffering, he persisted in his task until he had placed the wounded man in a place of safety. Lieutenant Burton died while being evacuated.
General Orders No. 44, W.D., 1919
Born: at Hillsboro, Wisconsin
Home Town: Reedsburg, Wisconsin
Caldwell, Edgar N.
Major (Infantry), U.S. Army
16th Infantry Reg., 1st Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action: September 12, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Edgar N. Caldwell, Major (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near St. Mihiel, France, September 12, 1918. When his company met with enemy machine-gun fire of such intensity that the success of the operation was threatened, Major Caldwell (then Captain) disregarding personal danger, walked up and down the front line, designating targets to his men and encouraging them. He then led an automatic rifle squad, proceeding two hundred yards ahead of the line, and captured an enemy machine gun.
General Orders 66, W.D., 1919
Born: at Glasgow, Wisconsin
Home Town: Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin
Campbell, Martin H.
Band Sergeant, U.S. Army
Headquarters Company, 4th Infantry Reg., 3d Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action: July 24, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Martin H. Campbell, Band Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Le Channel, France, July 24, 1918. Sergeant Campbell, frequently requested and was granted permission to render aid to the wounded. Making his way into an open field, swept by a withering machine-gun fire, he rendered first-aid to many of the wounded. While performing this highly meritorious work, he himself was wounded by grenade fire.
General Orders 64, W.D., 1919
Born: at Cross Plains, Wisconsin
Home Town: Flint, Michigan
Carlson, Emil
Private First Class, U.S. Army
Company A, 128th Infantry Reg., 32d Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action: August 1 & October 14, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Emil Carlson, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for repeated acts of extraordinary heroism in action near Cierges, France, August 1, 1918; and near Gesnes, France, October 14, 1918. During an attack near Cierges, Private Carlson, assisted by two comrades, repeatedly exposed himself to enemy machine-gun and artillery fire, in order to assist the wounded to the first-aid station. On October 14, in the Meuse-Argonne offensive, when the advance of his company was held up by enemy machine-gun fire, he advanced in attacking a machine-gun nest, until all the members of the squad were killed except himself. He then pushed on alone and killed one of the enemy. His rifle becoming jammed and useless, he continued to advance and succeeded in capturing the two guns, together with the crew, consisting of eight men.
General Orders 95, W.D., 1919
Born: at Negaunee, Michigan
Home Town: Merrillan, Wisconsin
Cayer, Albert J.
Private, U.S. Army
Company B, 38th Infantry Reg., 3d Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action: July 15, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Albert J. Cayer, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Mezy, France, July 15, 1918. During the intense enemy artillery preparation just prior to the German offensive of July 15, 1918, Private Cayer voluntarily made several trips through the heaviest shelling to bring wounded comrades from the field.
General Orders No. 23, W.D., 1919
Born: at Superior, Wisconsin
Home Town: Brooklyn, New York
Champeny, Arthur S.
(First Award)
First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army
356th Infantry Reg., 89th Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action: September 12, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Arthur S. Champeny, First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near St. Mihiel, France, September 12, 1918. Assisting the battalion commander, who had been severely wounded in the early fighting, Lieutenant Champeny maintained the liaison personnel, making many journeys himself through heavy shelling. When the battalion commander had been evacuated, he assumed command, and moved the battalion to its new position.
General Orders 37, W.D. 1919
Born: at Briggs, Wisconsin
Home Town: Lyons, Kansas
Other Award: Distinguished Service Cross w/OLC (WWII), Distinguished Service Cross w/2 OLC (Korea)
Chayie, Joseph A.
Private First Class, U.S. Army
Company M, 127th Infantry Reg., 32d Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action: September 10, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Joseph A. Chayie, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Terny-Sorny, north of Soissons, France, September 10, 1918. Under heavy shell fire, when movement in the open was extremely hazardous, Private First Class Chayie made eight trips from the front lines to battalion headquarters with important messages. His courage, high sense of duty, and coolness under fire were an example of heroism and devotion to duty which inspired his comrades.
General Orders No. No. 128, W.D., 1918
Born: at Calumet, Michigan
Home Town: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Chirafisi, Anthony J.
Sergeant, U.S. Army
Company H, 11th Infantry Reg., 5th Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action: November 8, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Anthony J. Chirafisi, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Brandeville, France, November 8, 1918. Sergeant Chirafisi volunteered to establish liaison between the battalions of his regiment. He crossed a valley under heavy artillery fire and climbed for over an hour on a hill exposed to steady machine-gun fire, accomplished his mission, and returned by the same route.
General Orders No. 37, W.D., 1919
Born: at Italy
Home Town: High Cliff, Wisconsin
Coleman, Wallace
First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army Air Service
Observation Group, 4th Corps, A.E.F.
Date of Action: September 12 – 13, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Wallace Coleman, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action near Jaulny France, September 12 – 13, 1918. On September 12 Lieutenant Coleman, pilot, and Second Lieutenant William Belzer, observer, while on an artillery surveillance mission were attacked by an enemy plane. They waited until the enemy was at close range and then fired 50 rounds directly into the vital parts of the enemy machine, which was seen to disappear out of control. The next day Lieutenants Belzer and Coleman, while on a reconnaissance mission, were attacked by seven enemy aircraft. They unhesitatingly opened fire, but, owing to their guns being jammed, were forced to withdraw to our lines, where, clearing the jam, they returned to finish the mission. Their guns again jammed, and they were driven back by a large patrol of enemy planes. After skillful maneuvering they succeeded in putting one gun into use and returned a third time, only to be driven back. Undaunted, they returned the fourth time and accomplished their mission, transmitting valuable information to the Infantry headquarters.
General Orders No. No. 128, W.D., 1918
Born: at Columbus, Indiana
Home Town: Racine, Wisconsin
*Cramp, Tony
Private, U.S. Army
Company B, 150th Machine-Gun Battalion, 42d Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action: July 28, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Tony Cramp, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action during the action north of the Ourcq River, near Villers-sur-Fere, France, on July 28, 1918. Private Cramp showed extraordinary courage and ability as a leader of men in field of battle. When his section sergeant had been killed and his corporal wounded, he assumed command of his gun section and led them forward against the enemy, directing the fire with effect until killed.
General Orders No. 88, W.D., 1918
Born: at Germany
Home Town: Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Curtis, Rollin B.
First Sergeant, U.S. Army
Company A, 128th Infantry Reg., 32d Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action: August 1 & October 9, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Rollin B. Curtis, First Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Cierges, France, August 1, 1918; and near Gesnes, France, October 9, 1918. During the advance near Reddy Farm, Sergeant Curtis, then a platoon commander, was painfully wounded in the leg, but refused to be evacuated until wounded a second time. During the advance, the battalion commander asked for a volunteer to establish liaison with the unit on the right. Sergeant Curtis immediately offered his services for this hazardous mission. On October 9, near Gesnes, when the only officer in his company was killed, Sergeant Curtis took command, leading the company through an intense enemy barrage. Although wounded and knocked down by the explosion of a shell, he continued to lead the company until relieved.
General Orders No. 126, W.D., 1919
Born: at Baraboo, Wisconsin
Home Town: Baraboo, Wisconsin
*Dickop, Ray C.
First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army
127th Infantry Reg., 32d Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action: August 4, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Ray C. Dickop, First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action in the attack on Fismes, France, August 4, 1918. On reaching Chezelles Farm, First Lieutenant Dickop was shot in the head, body and legs. Although thus fatally wounded, when orders came for another assault, he gave the command “Charge” to his company and led the assault until he fell dead.
General Orders No. No. 117, W.D., 1918
Born: at Beloit, Wisconsin
Home Town: Beloit, Wisconsin
Dillenbeck, Willard
Private, U.S. Army
Company A, 26th Infantry Reg., 1st Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action: July 21, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Willard Dillenbeck, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Soissons, France, July 21, 1918. Private Dillenbeck repeatedly carried messages from his company to platoon commanders, in daylight across open ground in full view of the enemy and under heavy bombardment.
General Orders No. No. 132, W.D., 1918
Born: at Delavan, Wisconsin
Home Town: Delavan, Wisconsin
*Dillon, Harry
Second Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army
26th Infantry Reg., 1st Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action: July 22, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Harry Dillon, Second Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Soissons, France, July 22, 1918. By cool and daring leadership Second Lieutenant Dillon carried his platoon forward in four attacks and took all objectives assigned to him.
General Orders No. 15, W.D., 1919
Born: at Wisconsin
Home Town: Mondovi, Wisconsin
Dodder, Alexander
Sergeant, U.S. Army
Company H, 53d Infantry Reg., 6th Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action: October 4, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Alexander Dodder, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Landersbach, Alsace, October 4, 1918. Sergeant Dodder was in a detachment of 50 soldiers who were attacked by a raiding party of the enemy composed of 300 storm troops. Though severely wounded by shell fire and grenades during the combat, this courageous soldier continued to operate his automatic rifle until the enemy retreated. The fire of the rifle which he was manning alone dispersed the main body of the enemy and prevented them from capturing prisoners and gaining valuable information.
General Orders No. No. 120, W.D., 1918
Born: at Argentine, Michigan
Home Town: Walworth, Wisconsin
Doudna, John F.
First Lieutenant (Medical Corps), U.S. Army
362d Infantry Reg. (Attached), 91st Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action: September 25, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John F. Doudna, First Lieutenant (Medical Corps), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Gesnes, France, September 25, 1918. First Lieutenant Doudna was under constant shell fire with his battalion for 17 days, and though he had been painfully wounded by a machine-gun bullet, he remained at his post, rendering first aid to the wounded night and day, performing the duties of two other medical officers who had been incapacitated in addition to his own. Lieutenant Doudna’s utter disregard for personal danger and complete devotion to duty made possible the rapid evacuation of the wounded, thus materially keeping up the morale of the combat troops and alleviating the suffering of the wounded.
General Orders No. No. 139, W.D., 1918
Born: at Richmond Center, Wisconsin
Home Town: Lake City, Michigan
Drotning, Harold J.
Private First Class, U.S. Army
Battery A, 125th Field Artillery, 32d Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action: August 4, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Harold J. Drotning, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near St. Gilles, south of Fismes, France, August 4, 1918. When the men of his battery position had been ordered to shelter on account of enemy shelling, Private Drotning, in company with two other men, rescued a French soldier from drowning in a stream. This act was performed while the valley was filled with mustard gas.
General Orders No. 21, W.D., 1919
Born: at Stroughton, Wisconsin
Home Town: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Duffy, Mark Matthew
First Lieutenant (Medical Corps), U.S. Army
Medical Detachment, 124th Field Artillery (Attached), 33d Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action: November 1, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Mark Matthew Duffy, First Lieutenant (Medical Corps), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Romagne, France, November 1, 1918. First Lieutenant Duffy displayed exceptional bravery in caring for the wounded and directing their evacuation under heavy shell fire. During the action he went under concentrated fire and rescued several wounded men.
General Orders No. 37, W.D., 1919
Born: at Springvale, Wisconsin
Home Town: Chicago, Illinois
Dyer, Herbert Ralph
First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army
117th Infantry Reg., 30th Div., A.E.F.
Date of Action: October 9 & 17, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Herbert Ralph Dyer, First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Premont, France, October 9, and near Molain, France, October 17, 1918. On October 9, when his company was held up by heavy fire from numerous machine guns, Lieutenant Dyer showed extraordinary bravery in driving them out and allowing the advance of the battalion to continue. On October 17, when all the officers of an adjoining company had been killed, he promptly took command under the terrific enemy fire, and although twice wounded continued to lead the two companies in the advance.
General Orders No. 68, W.D., 1920
Born: at Durand, Wisconsin
Home Town: Columbia, Tennessee