Venango County PA
Congressional Medal of Honor & Distinguished Service Cross &
Distinguished Service Medal Issued by the War Department, 1919
Contributed by Tammy Clark
Thomas Gaddis (Army serial No. 1245485), first sergeant, Company K,
111th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action near le Chêne Tondu,
France, October 5, 1918. When his company had been held up by a sweeping
fire from a machine-gun nest, Sergt. Gaddis, in charge of a patrol of five
men, went forward to reduce the nest. The patrol was once driven back by
the terrific fire, but again advanced. Fifteen feet from the nest two guns
opened fire, killing three of the patrol, whereupon Sergt. Gaddis rushed
forward alone and killed the crews of both guns with hand grenades. His action
not only made possible the advance of the line, which was of extreme importance,
but also saved many of his comrades at a time when his company had suffered
heavy casualties. Residence at enlistment: 13 Harold Street, Oil City, Pa.
Charles L. Main (Army serial No. 552263), sergeant, Company L, 38th
Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action near Launay, France, July 15,
1918. Sergt. Main, with an officer and another soldier of his company, attacked
a patrol of seven Germans who had captured four American soldiers, killed
one of the Germans, and captured the others. Residence at enlistment: Mechanic
Street, Rouseville, Pa.
William B. Main (Army serial No. 42525), private, first class, Company
D, 16th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action in the forest of Argonne,
France, October 9, 1918. Accompanied by another soldier, he advanced on a
German 77-millimeter gun which was enfilading his company, and with an automatic
rifle caused such heavy casualties among the enemy crew that they were forced
to withdraw. Residence at enlistment: Rouseville, Pa.
Oliver Sharrar, corporal, Company H, 328th Infantry. For extraordinary
heroism in action at Cornay, France, October 9-10, 1918. After fighting for
six hours, Corpl. Sharrar volunteered to accompany 15 other soldiers and
an officer on a night patrol of Cornay, which was held by many enemy machine-gun
posts. The party worked from 11 o'clock at night until next morning at clearing
buildings and dugouts of the enemy, capturing 65 prisoners and 2 machine
guns. With six others, Corpl. Sharrar volunteered and entered a dugout where
23 prisoners were captured. He was wounded while leaving the town, but he
refused to go to the aid station until the prisoners had been delivered at
brigade headquarters. Residence at enlistment: Fertigs, 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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