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McLaurin Baker, sergeant.
Company C, 105th Field Signal Battalion. For extraordinary heroism
in action near Mazinghien, France, October 18, 1918. During
the fighting around Mazinghien, Sergt. Baker, while attached to the
120th Infantry, painfully wounded by shrapnel, which necessitated
his going to the first-aid station for treatment. Realizing that his
services were greatly needed at the line, he refused to be
evacuated, but remained in action until the troops were
withdrawn. Residence at enlistment: Lamar, S.C.
Thomas Cooper (Army serial No.
18716A1), sergeant, Company K, 371st Infantry. For extraordinary
heroism in action at Trieres Farm. France, September 30 - October 2,
1918. Wounded in an attack on Trieres Farm, France, September 30,
Sergt. Cooper remained on duty with his company and commanded his
platoon until evacuated on October 2, 1918. Residence at
enlistment: Darlington. S.C.
John H. Gardner, sergeant,
Company L, 118th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action near
Brancourt, France. October 8, 1918. After his company commander had
been wounded immediately before an attack, Sergt. Gardner took
command of the company and led it throughout the action. When his
company was held up by machine-gun fire, he went forward and killed
four German machine gunners, thereby enabling his company to
continue the advance. On another occasion, he picked up the
rifle of a wounded soldier and killed three of the enemy. Later,
when his company was almost surrounded by hostile machine guns, his
men, under his cool direction, fought their way out, reached their
objective and consolidated the position. Residence at enlistment:
Hartsville, S.C.
William J. Hoover, first
lieutenant, 27th Aero Squadron, Air Service. For extraordinary
heroism in action near Virdilly, France, July 2, 1918. On the
morning of July 2 his flight patrol encountered the famous
Richthofen Circus. Lieut. Hoover was simultaneously attacked
by three of the enemy and cut off from his comrades. By skillful
maneuvering he avoided the effects of the concentrated fire and
fearlessly attacked the three. Although his machine was seriously
damaged, he killed one of the enemy pilots and destroyed his plane,
drove down another apparently out of control, and chased the third
far into its own lines. He then continued the patrol
until shortage of gasoline forced him to return. Residence at
appointment: Hartsville, S.C.
Herbert H. Wallace,
second lieutenant, 168th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in
action near Maribois Farm, north of Beney, France, September
16-22, 1918. On September 16, 1918, under heavy artlllery and
machine-gun fire, without regard to his personal safety, he led a
raiding party from our lines and attacked the Germans at Maribois
Farm, and in severe hand-to-hand fighting inflicted severe
loss upon the enemy, captured numerous prisoners, and obtained the
information for which he was sent. On September 22, 1918, he
voluntarily led a second raiding party into Mariboiss Farm,
inflicted great loss upon the enemy in hand-to-hand fighting,
captured many prisoners, and obtained the desired information.
Residence at appointment: Hartsville, S.C.
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