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Washington County World War I

Awards of Distinguished Service Cross Medal


US Army
First Awarded in 1918

US Navy
First Awarded in 1917

US Air Force 
First Awarded in 1962
Last Awarded 2006

+ Indicates Posthumous Award

Chariot Raymond Blake, first lieutenant, Air Service, pilot, 7th Aviation Instruction Center. For extraordinary heroism In action near Lassiguy, France, August 9, 1918. Lieut. Blake, with Second Lieut. Earle W. Porter, observer, while on a reconnoissance expedition at a low altitude far beyond the enemy lines, was attacked by five German battle planes. His observer was wounded at the beginning of the combat, but he maneuvered his plane so skillfully that the observer was able to shoot down one of their adversaries. By more skillful maneuvering he enabled his observer to fight off the remaining planes and returned safely to friendly territory. Resilience at appointment: 17 Tower Street. Westerly, R. I.

+Josiah Broadfoot (Army serial No. 0280), corporal. Company B, 344th Battalion, Tank Corps. For extraordinary heroism in action near La Forge Farm, France, September 27, 1918. Corp!. Broadfoot volunteered to drive a tank, and, his services being accepted, he attacked enemy machine-gun nests until his tank was put out of action, destroying several enemy nests which had held up our Infantry. He then continued the advance on foot until he was futility wounded. Emergency address: Mrs. Annie H. Broadfoot, Mother, 20 West Street, Westerly, R. I. Residence at enlistment: 20 West Street, Westerly, R. I.

Richard O'B. Shea, passed assistant surgeon, United States Navy, attached to 5th Regiment, United States Marine Corps. At Chateau-Thierry, France, on June 6, 1918, he displayed extraordinary heroism treating the wounded while under heavy bombardment. He showed utter disregard of his personal safety in order to succor others. Residence at appointment: 26 Noyes Avenue, Westerly, R. I.

Source: Congressional Medal of Honor, The Distinguished Service Cross, and The Distinguished Service Medal, by War Department, 1919, Transcribed by C. Anthony 


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