Montgomery County PA
Congressional Medal of Honor & Distinguished Service Cross &
Distinguished Service Medal Issued by the War Department, 1919
Contributed by Tammy Clark
Reuben Burrell, private, Machine Gun Company, 371st Infantry. For
extraordinary heroism in action in the Champagne sector, France, September
30, 1918. Pvt Burrell, although painfully wounded in the knee, refused to
be evacuated, stating that if he went to the rear there would not be enough
left for his group to function. Residence at enlistment : 317 West Fourth
Avenue, West Conshohocken, Pa.
Francis J. Connelly (Army serial No. 1783359), sergeant, Company A,
301st Battalion, Tank Corps. For extraordinary heroism in action near Bellicourt,
France, September 29, 1918. Sergt. Connelly was on duty as gunner in a tank,
whose track was broken by a direct hit from an enemy shell. Because of the
heavy machine-gun fire it was impossible to repair the track, but Sergt.
Connelly accompanied by another soldier, left the tank, picked up some rifles,
and, crawling through the trenches and brush to the rear of the machine-gun
position, killed four of the enemy crew. They then returned to the tank and
assisted in repairing the track under heavy shell fire. Residence at enlistment:
540 Old Elm Street, Conshohocken, Pa.
Allan S. Dayton, first lieutenant, 107th Field Artillery. For
extraordinary heroism in action near Fismes, France, September 6, 1918. He
led a patrol out to the Infantry lines in order to adjust the artillery fire
on machine guns which were holding up the advance. It was found necessary
to advance about half a mile beyond the front lines across open ground swept
by machine-gun fire; but, undaunted, this officer continued on for a half
hour, until he established telephone communication with his regiment. Having
finished his work he helped to carry a wounded officer back through an enemy
barrage safely to our lines. Residence at appointment: Pencoyd, Pa..
*Mathew W. Forsyth, Jr. (Army serial No. 129182), private, first class,
Battery E, 12th Field Artillery. For extraordinary heroism in action near
Thiaucourt, France, September 12, 1918. When his gun position was subjected
to a heavy entilading fire, Pvt. Forsyth continued in the service of his
piece, regardless of his personal safety, and was killed while in the performance
of his duty. Emergency address: Matthew W. Forsyth, father, 101 Central Avenue,
Cheltenham, Pa. Residence at enlistment: 101 Central Avenue, Cheltenham,
Pa.
James V. Gleason, corporal, Company A, 111th Infantry. For extraordinary
heroism in action near Fismette, France, August 9-13, 1918. When the enemy
attacked our lines, employing liquid fire, he inspired the troops of which
he formed a part to hold the post. During the succeeding three days and nights
without food he controlled the firing line of the advanced position until
badly wounded by shrapnel. Residence at enlistment: 151 South Franklin Street,
Pottstown, Pa.
Charles ?. Highley, first lieutenant, 319th Infantry. For extraordinary
heroism in action near Imecourt, France, November 1, 1918. In the face of
heavy machine-gun fire, Lieut. Highley personally led his platoon, or elements
thereof, against several enemy machine-gun nests, putting out of action and
capturing 15 guns with 50 prisoners. Later in the day he led a squad of men
in an attack on a battery of enemy field pieces seen coming out of a wood
south of Sivry and succeeded in capturing the 3 pieces of artillery, together
with 55 prisoners and 27 horses. Residence at appointment: Conshohocken,
Pa.
Harry Ingersoll, captain, 313th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism
in action near Montfaucon, France, September, 26, 1918. He showed absolute
disregard for personal danger in leading his company in an attack against
an enemy position, strongly intrenched and protected by barbed-wire
entanglements. Although he was killed at the enemy wire by machine-gun fire,
his men inspired by his courage, carried on the attack and took the enemy
position, which had been holding up the advance. Emergency address: Charles
E. Ingersoll, father, 1815 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa. Residence at
appointment: Penllyn, Pa.
Raymond F. Peacock, corporal, Company F, 111th Infantry. For extraordinary
heroism in action near Fismette, France, August 10, 1918. Being the only
member of his detachment who knew how to operate an enemy machine gun, he
volunteered to go forward in the attack near Fismette, in spite of just having
been so badly wounded in his left shoulder that his left arm was partially
useless. He participated in the assault, and with one arm operated a captured
German machine gun against the enemy until he was again wounded. Residence
at enlistment: 933 West Washington Street, Norristown, Pa.
*Luch Stifenell (Army serial No. 1250625), private, Battery C, 107th
Field Artillery. For extraordinary heroism in action near Peteghem, Belgium,
October 31, 1918. Mortally wounded, yet realizing the need of every effective
at the piece to continue its operation, he refused help from his comrades,
and while lying on the ground cheered the members of the gun crew and urged
them to maintain their fire, until he was removed to a dressing station by
a stretcher bearer. Emergency address: Mrs. Pauline Stifenell, mother. Cherry
and Jacoby Streets, Norristown, Pa. Residence at enlistment: Cherry and Jacoby
Streets, Norristown, Pa.
Richard L. Townsend, private, first class, Section No. 554, Ambulance
Service. For extraordinary heroism in action near Somme-Py, France, October
2-9, 1918. He drove an ambulance night and day to an advanced dressing station
under heavy shell fire. On the night of October 5 he voluntarily drove a
machine to a place near the lines, over a road raked by machine-gun and shell
fire, to evacuate a number of wounded whom the litter bearers were unable
to bring in immediately. Residence at enlistment: 825 Montgomery Avenue,
Bryn Mawr, Pa.
*Richard Hamilton Vaughan, sergeant. Company A, 111th Infantry. For
extraordinary heroism in action at Fismette, France, August 9-13, 1918. Although
he had been severely gassed and had received a scalp wound from shrapnel
on August 9, 1918, he refused to be evacuated, and after having his wound
dressed continued to command his platoon for four days until relieved. By
his bravery and encouragement to his men he exemplified the highest qualities
of leadership. Emergency address: Anna P. Vaughan, sister, Royersford, Pa.
Residence at enlistment: Royersford, Pa.
George L. Wright, captain, 315th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism
in action near Malancourt, France, September 28, 1918, and November 6, 1918.
On September 28, in order to save his men, he crossed a clearing under heavy
machine-gun lire to secure information of the troops on his flank. On November
6 he set a splendid example to his men, under heavy shell fire, by going
from shell hole to shell hole, encouraging them and directing them to safe
places. Residence at appointment: 108 Jacoby Street. Norristown, Pa.
Source: Congressional Medal of Honor & Distinguished Service Cross &
Distinguished Service Medal Issued by the War Department, 1919
Distinguished Service Cross
* Indicates Posthumous Award
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