War Stories
from the Book of Merit
George Rittenhouse Nixon, Marion County DSC: "Near Domevre-en-Haye, France, August 28, 1918 Lieutenant Nixon was locating active enemy batteries from his balloon and was attacked several times by enemy planes, but refused to descend until one had set fire to the balloon, On September 28, while he was on a reglage mission, five enemy planes fired at him. He remained in the basket until the balloon was a mass of flames, and one of the enemy aviators followed him to the ground, firing at him. Despite his narrow escape he immediately reascended."
Ernest Frederick Kusener , Lake County DSC: Near Ronssoy, France: "After his tank had been put out of action and set on fire by a direct hit which killed four of his crew, Lieutenant Kusener, utterly disregarding his own personal danger, entered the blazing tank which was still being fired on and dragged the remainder of the crew to safety. Displaying exceptional coolness and bravery, he then carried two members of the crew, who had been seriously wounded to a dressing station, the two trips being made over ground swept by heavy machine-gun fire."
Owen Eugene Newlon , Lake County Silver Star: "Sergeant Newlon, learning the battery had been ordered into position near Mouzay, took his rolling kitchen, water cart and ration cart into Mouzay with the first line of the Infantry, over a road exposed to machine-gun and shell fire. Sergeant Newlon, being unable to get communication with the battery and knowing that the men were in dire straits for rations, kept his outfit in this town until he learned the location of the battery position, in spite of a warning from the Infantry commander that it was very dangerous, and succeeded in getting food to the firing battery."
Ben H. Menges , Elkhart County DSC "After having crawled out alone across a clearing swept by machine-gun fire, armed only with his rifle and bayonet, he succeeded in killing four of the enemy who resisted him, and after having cleaned out several dugouts in the woods, brought in eight prisoners and reported information which permitted breaking up an enemy counter attack."
Bernard Thomas Kelly , Marion County Silver Star: "...displayed exceptional bravery during the successful construction of pontoon bridges over the Meuse River and canal east of the river. In the face of heavy and direct machine-gun and artillery fire they constructed their bridges, and by reason of their coolness, determination and utter disregard for personal safety, the Infantry were able to cross the river and canal and capture the important heights east of the Meuse."
Forest L. Martz , Tipton County DSC "October 6, 1918, Private Martz learned that two wounded men were lying in a field some distance in advance of the front line. These men were in an exceptionally exposed position and had been without assistance for two days. After dark Private Martz, with another man, made two trips into the area between the lines bringing a man back each time. This was performed under enemy machine-gun fire and in the illumination of enemy flares."
Leslie Albert McPike , Lawrence County DSC: Bois-de-Foret, France: "Having been sent with his section to defend a difficult position, Sergeant McPike succeeded in breaking up a hostile counterattack, though his ammunition was exhausted in so doing. Shortly afterwards, when another counterattack was made against him, he and his men held off the enemy with their pistols, though at one time the Germans had closed in from three sides. Their courageous stand checked the enemy until fresh ammunition could be brought up, whereupon the hostile attack was completely repulsed." Nestes, France: ...Sergeant McPike maneuvered his guns so successfully that he lost neither man or guns, though his original positions and the surrounding fortifications were completely destroyed..."
Kenneth Henri Holden , LaPorte County DSC: "While on an Infantry contact mission he and his observer 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 flew for an hour within one hundred meters of the ground, through a continuous heavy machine-gun fire, until they had accurately located our front-line position."
Edward William McAndrews , Knox County DSC: Bois de Ogons, France: "Exposing himself fearlessly to enfilading machine-gun fire from the enemy, Sergeant McAndrews directed the placing of the guns in his section in such positions as to protect the advance of the Infantry and in so doing was fatally wounded. Despite the fact that one-half of his body was paralyzed as a result of his injury, he insisted upon remaining in command of his section until the action was over. He died in a field hospital shortly after being evacuated."
Glenn Carlton Hiatt , Delaware County Commendation, US Navy: "...for your gallantry in jumping overboard from the Maine about 9:15 PM, October 29, 1917, and rescuing from drowning, William J. Savageau, fireman, 3rd class. Your commanding officer reports that the night was cool and the sea rough enough to make swimming difficult and that by your prompt action you contributed greatly toward the saving of Savageau who would have otherwise have no doubt been drowned as he was unconscious when picked up."
William Ellsworth Kepner , Howard County DSC: "While in command of a battalion, Captain Kepner personally led one company of his command in an attack on a woods occupied by a company of German machine gunners. He was the first man to enter the woods, and later when part of the attacking company was held up by flanking machine-gun fire, he, with a patrol of three men, encircled this machine gun, and after a hard hand-to-hand fight, put the gun out of action."
Merritte Weber Ireland , Whitley County DSC: "As chief surgeon of the American Expeditionary Forces he supervised and perfected the organization of the medical department in France; and to his excellent judgment, untiring efforts, and high professional attainments are largely due to the splendid efficiency with which the sick and wounded of the American Army have been cared for."
John Wiley Jordan , Marion County DSC: "Under the protection of three pursuit planes, each carrying a pilot and observer, Lieutenants Bernsheimer and Jordan, in charge of a photo plane, carried out successfully a hazardous photographic mission over the enemy's lines to the River Aisne. The four American ships were attacked by twelve enemy battle planes. Lieutenant Jordan, by accurate operation of his machine gun, in spite of wounds in his shoulder and leg, aided materially in the victory which came to the American ship and returned safely with thirty-six valuable photographs."
William Klamm , Lake County Silver Star: "...though wounded and with a practically disabled automatic rifle continued to keep his piece in action and refused the aid of his comrades in order that he might fulfill his duty."