North Dakota's Distinguished Service Cross Recipients

Source: "Congressional Medal of Honor, The Distinguished Service Cross and TheDistinguished Service Medal"
Issued by the War Department 1919

(* indicates posthumous award)

Transcribed and Donated by Tammy Clark


Broberg, Carl J. Private, 75th Company, 6th Regiment, United States Marine Corps. For extraordinary heroism in action near St. Etienne, France, October 9, 1918. When many members of his company had been killed and wounded he went out onto the field under heavy machine-gun fire and administered first aid to several wounded officers and soldiers and carried them to shelter in shell holes. Residence at enlistment: Anetn, N. Dak.
Bush, Garret Corporal, Company A, 26th Infantry. During the fighting near Soissons, France, July 19-21, 1918, he repeatedly passed through shell and machine-gun fire to locate dangerous enemy positions. Residence at enlistment: Cheyenne, N. Dak.
Chartier, Ernest J. (Army serial No. 2216108). first sergeant. Machine Gun Company. 357th Infantry, 90th Division. For extraordinary heroism in action near St. Marie Farm, France, September 14, 1918. He volunteered to go forward with the patrol of three on two occasions to destroy machine-gun nests which were holding up our advance. Both missions were successful, the enemy emplacements being reduced and the advance resumed. Sergt. Chartier exposed himself voluntarily to the fire of the enemy guns that they might be located by the flash. Residence at enlistment: Buffalo, N. Dak.
Drawland, Albert B. Private, first class, Company G, 328th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action near Châtel-Ché'héry, France, October 7, 1918. Acting as stretcher bearer, he displayed exceptional courage in transporting wounded from the battle field under machine-gun and artillery fire. He worked continuously for more than 48 hours without rest, supervising a detachment of stretcher bearers searching the woods for wounded. Residence at enlistment: Carbury, N. Dak.
* Finn, Henry Private, Medical Detachment, 4th Infantry, For extraordinary heroism in action near les Franquete Farm, France, July 23, 1918. Despite the severe bombardment of machine guns, he went into an open field to administer to wounded officers and men. He was killed while rendering aid to these men. Emergency address: Henry Finn, father, Portal, N. Dak. Residence at enlistment: Portal, N. Dak.
Frank, William J. Private, Headquarters Company, 30th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action near Bois d'Aigremont, France, July 14-15, 1918. On the night of July 14-15 he volunteered and carried messages through heavy shell fire after other runners had been killed in the attempt to perform the same mission. Residence at enlistment: Wahpeton, N. Dak.
Hall, Fred L. Private, Company E, 26th Infantry. He refused to go to the rear when wounded near Soissons, France, July 19, 1918, continued to fire his automatic rifle with effectiveness, and when finally exhausted directed another man in the use of the rifle and attempted to act as ammunition carrier. Residence at enlistment: Doyon, N. Dak.
Holzman, George D. Private. Company L, 3d Battalion. 362d Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action near Gesnes. France, October 11, 1918. He was on duty at one of the posts of a double relay of runners between battalion and regimental headquarters and carried numerous messages through heavily shelled area. Three other soldiers were killed and five seriously wounded along this route, but with unfaltering devotion to duty he continued at his work of relaying messages until he was relieved. Residence at enlistment: 285 Crescent Avenue, Valley City. N. Dak.
Jermiason, Axel Private, Company K. 26th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action near Cantigny, France, May 27, 1918. He was so seriously wounded that he could not operate his automatic rifle, but refused to be evacuated, and continued with the rifle team, taking the place of first leader. Becoming very weak from the loss of blood, he was ordered to the rear by his platoon commander, but on his way back picked up a rifle and continued in the fight until the enemy had been driven back. Residence at enlistment: Buford, N. Dak.
Lough, Maxon S. Major, 38th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action near Romagne, France, October 9, 1918. Although severely wounded, Maj. Lough continued to lead his battalion to his objective and refused to be evacuated until his battalion was relieved. Address: Care of The Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D. C. Entered military service from North Dakota.
O'Dell, Edgar H. (Army serial No. 2147883), private, Company K, 137th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action at Varennes, France, September 26, 1918. In the face of heavy machine-gun fire he entered a building alone and captured 16 prisoners and 4 machine guns. He used an automatic rifle and hand grenades during his advance to the building, fire from which was checking our advance. Residence at enlistment: York, N. Dak.
Olson, Mandel (Army serial No. 1197267), private, first class, Company A, 13th Machine Gun Battalion, 5th Division. For extraordinary heroism in action near Cunel, France, October 14, 1918. Accompanying another soldier, Pvt. Olson left shelter and went forward 100 meters over territory swept by shells and machine-gun fire, and carried a wounded man to safety. Residence at enlistment: 1206 Dakota Avenue. Grand Forks. N. Dak.
Peterson, Oscar W. (Army serial No. 560685), sergeant, Company A, 59th Infantry, 4th Division. For extraordinary heroism in action near Courchamps, France, July 19, 1918. Discovering the enemy making a counterattack to the left flank of his platoon Sergt. Peterson immediately organized a combat group of 25 men, and though greatly outnumbered by the Germans he succeeded in routing them, inspiring his men by his disregard of personal danger. He was severely wounded later in the day, but he refused to go to the rear until he had reorganized his platoon an hour and a half later. Residence at enlistment: Jamestown, N. Dak.
Sorenson, John H. Private. Machine Gun Company, 364th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action near Eclisfontaine, France, October 4, 1918. He volunteered and remained with a wounded comrade in а gun position when his division was relieved. He gave all the aid possible and then went some 500 meters through heavy shell and machine-gun fire for further medical assistance and returned with it to his companion. Residence at enlistment: Box No. 146. Minot. N. Dak.
Soules, James A. Second ieutenant, 16th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action near Sedan, France, November 6-7, 1918. Accompanied by another soldier of his platoon, Lieut. Soules entered the town of Noyers-Pout-Maugis, which was held by the enemy, against murderous machine-gun fire. He routed the gunners, killing one, thereby saving his company from a harassing flanking fire. Residence at appointment: Dickinson, N. Dak.
Strawbridge, George Private, First Class, Company B, 2d Machine Gun Battalion. For extraordinary heroism in action near Flévllle, France, October 5, 1918. He administered first aid to a wounded comrade under heavy machine-gun and artillery fire, and, although wounded himself, he refused evacuation, remaining on duty with the company during the entire action. Residence at enlistment: Flaxton, N. Dak.
Zacher, Vernon B. First Lieutenant, 359th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action near Banthevllle, France, November 1, 1918. Without regard for his own safety, Lieut. Zacher led his platoon to the capture of two machine guns which were holding up the advance of his battalion. Although painfully wounded, he would not stop until his objective had been reached. Residence at appointment: 311 Pennsylvania Avenue, Jamestown, N. Dak.

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