CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR
Corporal Samuel M. Sampler
October 8, 1918
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Corporal Samuel M. Sampler (ASN: 1490609), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 8 October 1918, while serving with Company H, 142d Infantry, 36th Division, in action at St. Etienne, France. His company having suffered severe casualties during an advance under machinegun fire, was finally stopped. Corporal Sampler detected the position of the enemy machineguns on an elevation. Armed with German hand grenades, which he had picked up, he left the line and rushed forward in the face of heavy fire until he was near the hostile nest, where he grenaded the position. His third grenade landed among the enemy, killing two, silencing the machineguns, and causing the surrender of 28 Germans, whom he sent to the rear as prisoners. As a result of his act the company was immediately enabled to resume the advance.
War Department, General Orders No. 59 (May 3, 1919)
Corporal Harold L. Turner
October 8, 1918
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Corporal Harold Leo Turner (ASN: 1490302), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 8 October 1918, while serving with Company F, 142d Infantry, 36th Division, in action at St. Etienne, France. After his platoon had started the attack, Corporal Turner assisted in organizing a platoon consisting of the battalion scouts, runners, and a detachment of Signal Corps. As second in command of this platoon he fearlessly led them forward through heavy enemy fire, continually encouraging the men. Later he encountered deadly machinegun fire which reduced the strength of his command to but four men, and these were obliged to take shelter. The enemy machinegun emplacement, 25 yards distant, kept up a continual fire from four machineguns. After the fire had shifted momentarily, Corporal Turner rushed forward with fixed bayonet and charged the position alone capturing the strong point with a complement of 50 Germans and one machineguns. His remarkable display of courage and fearlessness was instrumental in destroying the strong point, the fire from which had blocked the advance of his company.
War Department, General Orders No. 59 (May 3, 1919)
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
BARTON, THOMAS D.
Captain, U.S. Army
142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Division, A.E.F.
Date of Action: October 8 – 10, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Thomas D. Barton, Captain, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near St. Etienne, France, October 8 – 10, 1918. Captain Barton advanced his company against a strongly fortified enemy position, and succeeded in capturing the enemy works, together with twenty machine guns and ninety prisoners. After he had lost all his company officers and sustained many casualties in his command, Captain Barton again moved forward through an intense barrage, and established the most advanced position of the first day of the battle.
General Orders 81, W.D., 1919
Home Town: Amarillo, TX
*Benefield, Corbett
Corporal, U.S. Army
Division: 36th Division, American Expeditionary Forces
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Corporal Corbett Benefield (ASN: 1490084), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company E, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Division, A.E.F., near St. Etienne, France, 8 October 1918. Wounded in the arm by a machine-gun bullet while leading his squad through enemy entanglements, Corporal Benefield rallied his men and led them in an attack on the machine gun, which was enfilading the line, and captured the gun with its entire crew. Continuing on despite his wound, he was killed shortly afterward while leading his squad under a heavy enemy bombardment.
GENERAL ORDERS: War Department, General Orders 66 (May 21, 1919)
Home Town: Caddo, OK
BOGGS, ERNEST H.
Corporal, U.S. Army
Company M, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Division, A.E.F.
Date of Action: October 8, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Ernest H. Boggs, Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near St. Etienne, France, October 8, 1918. After his company had made an attack and had taken up a new position, Corporal Boggs rendered great assistance in the reorganization of the new position. He was seriously wounded while in the performance of this work, but refused to go to the rear because it might weaken the position.
General Orders No. 37, W.D., 1919
Home Town: Pilot Point, TX
Bradfield, Walter E.
Corporal, U.S. Army
Division: 36th Division, American Expeditionary Forces
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Corporal Walter E. Bradfield (ASN: 1489844), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company H, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Division, A.E.F., near St. Etienne, France, 8 October 1918. While advancing with his company, Corporal Bradfield was wounded in the hip by a sniper who was inflicting severe losses on the company. Crawling forward, he killed this sniper, and continued in action even after receiving a second wound. He refused to go to the rear until he was ordered to do so by his company commander.
GENERAL ORDERS: War Department, General Orders 66 (May 21, 1919)
Home Town: Sapula, OK
*CARRIGAN, ALFRED H.
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army
Company L, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Division, A.E.F.
Date of Action: October 8, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Alfred H. Carrigan, First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near St. Etienne, France, October 8, 1918. After he had led his men through the wire and obtained cover, Lieutenant Carrigan saw one of his men wounded and entangled in the wire. He left cover under heavy fire to bring this man to safety. As he was helping him out of the wire he was shot in the neck by a machine-gun bullet.
General Orders No. 20, W.D., 1919
Home Town: Wichita Falls, TX
*CURTIS, WILL C.
Private, U.S. Army
Company M, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Division, A.E.F.
Date of Action: October 8, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Will C. Curtis, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near St. Etienne, France, October 8, 1918. While passing through a heavy enemy barrage Private Curtis was mortally wounded, but continued to advance, encouraging his comrades to follow him. His example of courage and fearlessness gave confidence to his comrades and the advance was successful. He later died of his wounds.
General Orders No. 21, W.D., 1919
Home Town: Krum, TX
Douglas, John E.
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army
Company L, 142d Regiment, 36th Division, A.E.F.
Date of Action: October 8, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John E. Douglas, First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near St. Etienne, France, October 8, 1918. Lieut. Douglas was a member of a patrol, consisting of himself, another officer, and three soldiers, which came under fire from an enemy machine-gun nest. Leading the patrol forward by short rushes to within a short distance of the enemy position, he had his companions take cover while he continued on alone in full view of the enemy, and by accurate fire from an automatic rifle at a range of 40 yards, silenced the nest, capturing 20 men and four machine-guns.
General Orders No. 66, W.D., 1919
Home Town: Bessemer, AL
GILSTRAP, LEE F.
Bugler, U.S. Army
Company B, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Division, A.E.F.
Date of Action: October 8, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Lee F. Gilstrap, Bugler, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near St. Etienne- sur-Marne, France, October 8, 1918. In the assault of the 142d Infantry before the town of St. Etienne, Bugler Gilstrap voluntarily accompanied the first assaulting wave of his regiment. Under direct observation of the enemy he assisted many wounded men to shelter, with utter disregard for his own safety. Throughout the day he voluntarily carried messages from battalion to regimental headquarters through a zone swept by terrific enemy machine-gun, gas-shell, and high-explosive artillery fire. Repeatedly urged by officers and noncommissioned officers to seek shelter, he coolly declined to do so, continuing on his dangerous missions in complete contempt for the hottest fire, until badly burned by gas-shell fire and evacuated to hospital. During the course of the day he found several enemy soldiers hiding in shell holes. These men he required to carry wounded American soldiers to dressing stations. The indomitable heroism, contempt for enemy fire, and superb devotion to duty of Bugler Gilstrap served as an example of soldierly bravery and conduct to every man of his regiment and inspired them all to the greatest endeavors.
General Orders No. No. 15, W.D., 1923
Home Town: Chandler, OK
HALEY, ROSCO ROBERT
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army
Company E, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Division, A.E.F.
Date of Action: October 8, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Rosco Robert Haley, First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near St. Etienne, France, October 8, 1918. Lieutenant Haley was severely wounded in the head while leading his platoon forward, but he continued in the advance, directing the cutting of wire entanglements under heavy fire. Shortly afterward he received another wound in the face, but he again refused to go to the rear, remaining with his platoon encouraging his men and maintaining organization until he became unconscious.
General Orders 66, W.D., 1919
Home Town: San Antonio, TX
HANKINS, STAYTON M.
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army
Company H, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Division, A.E.F.
Date of Action: October 8, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Stayton M. Hankins, First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near St. Etienne, France, October 8, 1918. Although severely wounded in the leg. Lieutenant Hankins continued in command of his company, remaining in action until he fell from complete exhaustion and was evacuated.
General Orders No. 59, W.D., 1919
Home Town: Quanah, TX
HARDIN, WILLIAM T.
Sergeant, U.S. Army
Company L, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Division, A.E.F.
Date of Action: October 8, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William T. Hardin, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near St. Etienne, France, October 8, 1918. Sergeant Hardin was severely wounded in the right shoulder early in the action, but although bleeding profusely he refused to go to the rear until the enemy’s position had been captured and the line consolidated.
General Orders No. 50, W.D., 1919
Home Town: Rhome, TX
HEAD, CARROLL E.
Corporal, U.S. Army
Company C, 111th Field Signal Battalion, 36th Division, A.E.F.
Date of Action: October 14, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Carroll E. Head, Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Attigny, France, October 14, 1918. The enemy having located the advance divisional information center, the personnel was removed to a new position. Corporal Head volunteered and removed the switchboard, changing the wire connections so that communication would not be interrupted. For five or six minutes he worked under intense shell fire, several shells passing through the building as he worked. He succeeded, however, in reestablishing the line connections outside the building. Immediately after he left the building it was completely demolished by a shell.
General Orders 81, W.D., 1919
Home Town: Fort Worth, TX
JOHNSTON, FRANK
Corporal, U.S. Army
Company M, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Division, A.E.F.
Date of Action: October 8, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Frank Johnston, Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near St. Etienne, France, October 8, 1918. After his company had been thrown into confusion by running into its own artillery barrage, Corporal Johnston reorganized a large part of the company and continued the advance. His command was again separated by a barrage of enemy artillery fire, but he continued with that portion of the company left under his control until he was twice wounded and carried to the rear.
General Orders No. 37, W.D., 1919
Home Town: Denton, TX
Liddell, Charles J.
Sergeant, U.S. Army
Division: 36th Division, American Expeditionary Forces
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant Charles J. Liddell (ASN: 1489634), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company D, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Division, A.E.F., near Attigny, France, 14 October 1918. Sergeant Liddell was engaged on a reconnaissance with another soldier when the latter was wounded. Being unable to carry his comrade back to the dressing station, Sergeant Liddell placed him in a sheltered position and made his way to regimental headquarters, four kilometers to the rear, to secure an ambulance. The ambulance being driven back by enemy artillery fire, Sergeant Liddell made another trip to the rear and returned with a side car, in which he succeeded in rescuing the wounded man, despite heavy machine-gun fire.
GENERAL ORDERS: War Department, General Orders No. 50 (1919)
Home Town: Marietta, OK
LOOMIS, JOHN S.
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army
132d Machine-Gun Battalion, 36th Division, A.E.F.
Date of Action: October 10, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John S. Loomis, First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near St. Etienne, France, October 10, 1918. During an attack to straighten the front of the 71st Brigade, Lieutenant Loomis, in command of a machine-gun platoon, upon arriving at the objective, discovered that all of the infantry officers in the vicinity had fallen, thus leaving their troops in confusion. Although under a heavy barrage of high explosive and gas shells, machine-gun and rifle fire, Lieutenant Loomis removed his gas mask in order that his voice might carry, and, with great coolness, reorganized the infantry forces, thus enabling them to hold the ground they had gained. Lieutenant Loomis remained in command until he was so severely gassed that he had to be carried from the field.
General Orders 81, W.D., 1919
Home Town: Dallas, TX
Luebke, Alvin J.
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army
Co. L, 142d Inf., 36th Division, American Expeditionary Forces
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Alvin J. Luebke, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Division, A.E.F., at Roche, France, 27 October 1918. Regaining consciousness while being carried to the rear after he had been wounded by an exploding shell, First Lieutenant Luebke returned immediately to his company, which he later led 500 meters into “No Man’s Land” for the purpose of organizing his position preparatory to an attack the next morning.
GENERAL ORDERS: War Department, General Orders No. 44 (1919)
Home Town: Forestville, WI
McLennan, Donald J.
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army
1BN, 142d Inf., 36th Division, American Expeditionary Forces
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Donald J. McLennan, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Division, A.E.F., near St. Etienne, France, 8 October 1918. Leading a patrol of ten men with orders to gain contact with the enemy, Lieutenant McLennan was suddenly subjected to terrific machine-gun fire which wounded two of his men. He quickly ordered his men to shelter, and in order to insure their safety, he ran across an open space for a distance of 30 yards to draw the enemy’s fire. Rejoining his patrol by passing through the same deadly fire, he ordered them to withdraw, covering their withdrawal, and reporting back to his company commander with his two wounded men and much valuable information.
GENERAL ORDERS: War Department, General Orders No. 50 (1919)
Home Town: Wausau, WI
Milne, William L.
Private, U.S. Army
Division: 36th Division, American Expeditionary Forces
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Private William L. Milne (ASN: 1489917), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company D, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Division, A.E.F., near St. Etienne, France, 8 October 1918. With the aid of another soldier, Private Milne attacked and captured a machine-gun nest, at the same time killing and capturing several of the enemy. He later organized a support line by assembling the scattered members of one of the companies of his regiment and a platoon of the machine-gun company, forming them into a combatant force.
GENERAL ORDERS: War Department, General Orders 81 (1919)
Home Town: Muskogee, OK
*MONTGOMERY, CHARLES G.
Private, U.S. Army
Company I, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Division, A.E.F.
Date of Action: October 27, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Charles G. Montgomery, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Attigny, France, October 27, 1918. Private Montgomery volunteered and carried a message from battalion headquarters, through the enemy’s fire, to our support line, and guided a combat group into position, in absolute disregard of his personal safety. He was caught in a heavy barrage and was killed.
General Orders No. 27, W.D., 1919
Home Town: Goodlett, TX
MORRISON, JESSE S.
Sergeant, U.S. Army
Headquarters Company, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Division, A.E.F.
Date of Action: October 14, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Jesse S. Morrison, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Attigny, France, October 14, 1918. Sergeant Morrison drove a motorcycle through intense artillery fire and assisted in the rescue of a wounded soldier under machine-gun fire, driving back with him under intense bombardment to the dressing station.
General Orders No. 50, W.D., 1919
Home Town: Odell, TX
NAIL, E. KELLEY
Sergeant, U.S. Army
Company I, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Division, A.E.F.
Date of Action: October 8, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to E. Kelley Nail, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near St. Etienne, France, October 8, 1918. Sergeant Nail, in charge of a patrol, successfully flanked a machine-gun nest of several guns which was holding up the advance of his company and captured four German officers.
General Orders No. 37, W.D., 1919
Home Town: Cleburne, TX
REESE, JOHN D.
Private, U.S. Army
Company L, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Division, A.E.F.
Date of Action: October 27, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John D. Reese, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action at Roche, France, October 27, 1918. Though he was suffering from illness and had been told to go to the rear, Private Reese for three days remained on duty as a runner, and, when almost exhausted, went forward with his company in attack, voluntarily accompanying a liaison patrol on a dangerous mission.
General Orders No. 44, W.D., 1919
Home Town: Farwell, TX
ROBERTS, CHESTER A.
Sergeant, U.S. Army
Company L, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Division, A.E.F.
Date of Action: October 8, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Chester A. Roberts, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near St. Etienne, France, October 8, 1918. Sergeant Roberts led an automatic rifle team of seven men in an attack on an enemy machine-gun nest, advancing 150 yards, under heavy machine-gun fire, to within 50 yards of the enemy position, from which point he directed the fire of his team with such skill that the enemy surrendered; resulting in the capture of four officers, 112 men, and 17 machine-guns.
General Orders 66, W.D., 1919
Home Town: Cleburne, TX
*SHOEMAKER, LONNIE O.
Corporal, U.S. Army
Company L, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Division, A.E.F.
Date of Action: October 8, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Lonnie O. Shoemaker, Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near St. Etienne, France, October 8, 1918. Although he was severely gassed, Corporal Shoemaker continued in the attack until his company had reached its objective and organized the new position, when he was ordered to the rear. The exposure to which he voluntarily submitted resulted in his death.
General Orders No. 50, W.D., 1919
Home Town: Childress, TX
Siemering, William H.
Private First Class, U.S. Army
Division: 36th Division, American Expeditionary Forces
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Private First Class William H. Siemering (ASN: 1106054), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company G, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Division, A.E.F., near St. Etienne, France, 8 October 1918. Although one of his hands was disabled, Private Siemering left a sheltered position against the advice of his companions, and went through heavy shell and machine-gun fire to the aid of a wounded comrade, bringing the latter to a place of safety.
GENERAL ORDERS: War Department, General Orders 66 (May 21, 1919)
Home Town: Le Sueur, MN
SIMPSON, ETHAN A.
Captain, U.S. Army
Co. H, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Division, A.E.F.
Date of Action: October 8, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Ethan A. Simpson, Captain, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action east of St. Etienne-a- Arnes, France, October 8, 1918. While leading his company during the attack on the morning of October 8, 1918, Captain Simpson was severely wounded, but refused to be evacuated until his senior lieutenant had been sent to him in order that he could explain the tactical situation and turn over the command of his company. Although suffering intense pain, Captain Simpson endeavored to conceal the seriousness of his wounds, thereby displaying extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty which were an inspiration to the men of his company.
General Orders No. 6, W.D., 1930
Home Town: Clarendon, TX
Thedinger, Louis C.
Sergeant, U.S. Army
Division: 36th Division, American Expeditionary Forces
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant Louis C. Thedinger (ASN: 1490035), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company E, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Division, A.E.F., near St. Etienne, France, 8 October 1918. When his company had been stopped by heavy enemy machine-gun fire, Sergeant Thedinger left shelter for the purpose of interviewing two German prisoners. Learning from them the location and strength of the enemy’s position, he obtained permission to attack it, and, with a party of ten volunteers, went forward in the face of heavy machine-gun fire, flanking the machine-gun nest and capturing four prisoners and three machine guns.
GENERAL ORDERS: War Department, General Orders 66 (May 21, 1919)
Home Town: Perry, OK
Walden, Fitzgerald
First Sergeant, U.S. Army
Division: 36th Division, American Expeditionary Forces
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Sergeant Fitzgerald Walden (ASN: 1490019), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company E, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Division, A.E.F., near St. Etienne, France, 8 October 1918. After his company commander had been killed, Sergeant Walden took command of that portion of the company near him and, reorganizing the line under heavy fire, continued the attack. He was wounded in the head shortly afterward, but he continued forward with his men and repulsed an enemy counter-attack. He refused to be evacuated until nightfall, when he was no longer able to stand.
GENERAL ORDERS: War Department, General Orders 66 (May 21, 1919)
Home Town: Durant, OK
*WALDROP, BERGEN X.
Sergeant, U.S. Army
Company H, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Division, A.E.F.
Date of Action: October 8, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Bergen X. Waldrop, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near St. Etienne, France, October 8, 1918. While leading his platoon in an advance in the face of heavy machine-gun and shell fire, Sergeant Waldrop was wounded, but refused to go to the rear, continuing his advance until the objectives had been attained.
General Orders No. 20, W.D., 1919
Home Town: Clarendon, TX
Walter, Hiram F.
Corporal, U.S. Army
Division: 36th Division, American Expeditionary Forces
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Corporal Hiram F. Walter (ASN: 1491368), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company E, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Division, A.E.F., near St. Etienne, France, 8 October 1918. Corporal Walter volunteered to lead a patrol for the purpose of locating and silencing an enemy machine-gun nest which was holding up the advance. Before reaching the nest all his men had been killed or wounded, but Corporal Walter continued on alone to within a short distance of the nest, ascertained its position, and reported its location so accurately that it was soon silenced.
GENERAL ORDERS: War Department, General Orders 66 (May 21, 1919)
Home Town: Okmulgee, OK
Woods, Howard S.
Sergeant, U.S. Army
Division: 36th Division, American Expeditionary Forces
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant Howard S. Woods (ASN: 1490224), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company F, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Division, A.E.F., near St. Etienne, France, 8 October 1918. After all the officers of his company had become casualties, Sergeant Woods, though himself wounded severely, remained at his post and reorganized his company under heavy machine-gun and artillery fire, thereby making possible its further advance.
GENERAL ORDERS: War Department, General Orders No. 50 (1919)
Home Town: Wewoka, OK