Compiled and Edited By C. Douglas Sterner

Welch, William H.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to William H. Welch, Colonel (Medical Corps), U.S. Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. From his rich experience in scientific medicine, sanitation, public health, and medical education Colonel Welch helped materially in guiding the medical profession both in and out of the Army safely through the many difficulties of war.

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  War Department, General Orders No. 69 (1919)
  

Home Town: Baltimore, Maryland

Weld, DeWitt C., Jr.

Citation:

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to DeWitt C. Weld, Jr., Colonel (Field Artillery), U.S. Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. As Regimental Commander of the 105th Field Artillery, 27th Division, Colonel Weld demonstrated professional attainments and ability of the highest order. By his sound tactical judgment and superior knowledge of artillery, he most successfully directed his units in support of the 158th Infantry Brigade in the operations north of Verdun, 4 to 11 November 1918. By keeping his elements close to the attacking Infantry he contributed in no small measure to the success of the Infantry Brigade in these operations. He rendered services of conspicuous merit and signal worth to the American Expeditionary Forces.

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  War Department, General Orders No. 56 (1922)
  

Home Town: Brooklyn, New York

Welles, Edward M., Jr.

Citation:

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Edward M. Welles, Jr., Lieutenant Colonel (Medical Corps), U.S. Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. In the Office of the Chief Surgeon, American Expeditionary Forces, for nearly two years and embracing the entire period of combat activities, Lieutenant Colonel Welles

was charged with all details concerning the reception and distribution and the classification and assignment of all officers, nurses, and enlisted men of the Medical Department serving overseas, a force aggregating approximately 250,000 individuals. In this position of great responsibility he displayed exceptional ability and rendered conspicuous service to the Government by directing with the greatest economy the distribution of all available personnel during periods of stress and threatened shortage, thereby materially contributing to the success of our forces in the field.

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  War Department, General Orders No. 14 (1923)
  

Home Town: New York, New York

Wells, Briant H.

Citation:

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Briant H. Wells, Brigadier General, U.S. Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. As Chief of Staff of the 4th Army Corps while it was in the front line in the Woevre, General Wells displayed military attainments of a high order in the planning of operations. Both then and subsequently, during the march to the Rhine and the occupation of German territory, his service was marked by tireless zeal, excellent judgment, and whole-hearted devotion to the performance of important tasks.

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  War Department, General Orders No. 62 (1919)
  

Home Town: Salt Lake City, Utah

Wells, Frederick B.

Citation:

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Frederick B. Wells, Colonel (Quartermaster Corps), U.S. Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. In the organization and operation of the entire storage system for the Army, Colonel Wells has displayed marked ability, energy, and application, to which are due, in a large measure, the satisfactory results attained.

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  War Department, General Orders No. 69 (1919)
  

Home Town: Minneapolis, Minnesota

*Welsh, Robert S.

Citation:

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal (Posthumously) to Robert S. Welsh, Colonel (Field Artillery), U.S. Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. Colonel Welsh Commanded the 314th Field Artillery, 80th Division, which later became part of the 3d Army Corps. He rendered exceptionally efficient service with the 80th Division, taking part in all operations of that division. He displayed a high order of leadership and exhibited those masterful qualities of a commander which insure success. Later, assigned to the 3d Army Corps, his devotion to duty and high professional attainments were again revealed.

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  War Department, General Orders No. 50 (1919)
  

Home Town: Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Welsh, William E.

Citation:

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to William E. Welsh, Brigadier General, U.S. Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. As Colonel, 346th Infantry, 87th Division, from September 1917 to June 1918, Colonel Welsh demonstrated unusual leadership, organizing and training his regiment to a high state of efficiency and morale; as Brigadier General, General Staff, and Inspector-Instructor of Infantry, Training Section, General Headquarters, American Expeditionary Forces, he displayed marked tactical ability and by his general supervision shared largely in the responsibility for the training in that arm. His duties of very great importance were carried out with conspicuous success.

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  War Department, General Orders No. 15 (1923)
  

Home Town: Hanover, Pennsylvania

Welshimer, Robert R.

Citation:

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Robert R. Welshimer, Colonel (Coast Artillery), U.S. Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I, as Senior Instructor at the Coast Artillery School, and later as Commandant of that school in the organization and administration of that institution so as to result in effective accomplishment of its object.

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  War Department, General Orders No. 3 (1921)
  

Home Town: Neoga, Illinois

Wentz, Daniel B.

Citation:

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Daniel B. Wentz, Lieutenant Colonel (Quartermaster Corps), U.S. Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. When in charge of the Fuel Branch, Office of the Chief Quartermaster, American Expeditionary Forces, a position of great responsibility, Lieutenant Colonel Wentz displayed extraordinary ability in the promptness with which he procured and forwarded a steady flow of fuel to the American Expeditionary Forces.

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  War Department, General Orders No. 15 (1923)
  

Home Town: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Wesson, Charles M.

(First Award)

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Charles M. Wesson, Colonel (Ordnance Corps), U.S. Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. As Commanding Officer, Watertown Arsenal, Massachusetts, from January to October 1918, by his indefatigable energy, great administrative ability, and thorough technical knowledge Colonel Wesson planned, erected, equipped, and brought to a highly efficient working basis a new factory for the manufacture of 240-mm. howitzer carriages, as well as a new forging plant for large-caliber guns--a definite contribution to the military power of the Nation. From November 1918 until August 1919, as Commanding Officer of the Ordnance Base Repair Shops at Mehun-sur-Yevre, France, he again rendered highly meritorious service in a position of great responsibility in salvaging ordnance material valued at millions of dollars and prepared it properly for shipment to the United States.

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  War Department, General Orders No. 49 (1922)
  

Home Town: Centerville, Maryland

Westervelt, William I.

Citation:

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to William I. Westervelt, Brigadier General, U.S. Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. As Assistant to the Chief of Artillery, through his initiative, organizing ability, and comprehensive knowledge of the technique and tactics of Artillery in all its branches and particularly through his complete knowledge of Artillery material, General Westervelt has rendered services of exceptional value to the Government.

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  War Department, General Orders No. 59 (1919)
  

Home Town: Corpus Christi, Texas

*Westnedge, Joseph B. (DNB)

Citation:

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal (Posthumously) to Joseph B. Westnedge, Colonel (Infantry), U.S. Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. With signal ability Colonel Westnedge Commanded the 126th Infantry, 32d Division, from date of its organization to its final engagement during the Meuse-Argonne offensive, inspiring the members of his command by his personal courage and indefatigable zeal; he kept his regiment efficiently organized at all times as demonstrated by the successful results obtained in its operations against the enemy. During his service at the front he contracted a disease which subsequently proved fatal.

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  War Department, General Orders No. 70 (1919)
  

Home Town: Kalamazoo, Michigan

Whaley, Arthur M.

Citation:

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Arthur M. Whaley, Colonel (Medical Corps), U.S. Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. Colonel Whaley served with marked ability as Surgeon, 30th Division, from the time of its organization and early training period to the completion of the Ypres-Lys and Somme offensives.

The care and evacuation of the wounded during the active operations of the division were conducted with the greatest smoothness and efficiency, and it was due to the great energy and conspicuous ability displayed by him that his services were of the utmost value to the division.

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  War Department, General Orders No. 56 (1922)
  

Home Town: Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Wheeler, Charles B.

Citation:

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Charles B. Wheeler, Brigadier General, U.S. Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. General Wheeler initiated, organized, and developed the plans for the successful operation of the Supply Division in the Office of the Chief of Ordnance, which division received, transported, warehoused, issued, and maintained all items of ordnance stores and equipment manufactured and purchase for issue to the Army during the war. With fine business acumen and with the full conception of the magnitude and intricacy of the complex problems involved, he brought to full and complete fruition a well-balanced and successful working organization. By his wide vision and full comprehension of conditions and the needs of the service and by his unflagging energy to insure constant supply of ordnance materials, he rendered service of signal worth to the Government in a position of great responsibility.

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  War Department, General Orders No. 56 (1922)
  

Home Town: Fergus Falls, Minnesota

Wheeler, Raymond A.

Citation:

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Raymond A. Wheeler, Colonel (Corps of Engineers), U.S. Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. As active Regimental Commander of the 4th Engineers, 4th Division, during the Aisne-Marne, the St. Mihiel, and the Meuse-Argonne offensives, Colonel Wheeler ably supported the 4th Division in these operations by the promptness and skill with which he constructed bridges across the Vesle, destroyed enemy wire, and built and maintained roads during the attacks in the Meuse-Argonne offensive. His able and expeditious support of the 3d and 5th Army Corps by constructing roads through the Argonne was a material factor in the rapid advance and ultimate success of the units of those corps during this important operation.

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  War Department, General Orders No. 68 (1920)
  

Home Town: Peoria, Illinois

Whipple, Sherburne

Citation:

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Sherburne Whipple, Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry), U.S. Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. As Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1, of the 80th Division, from June until December 1918, Lieutenant Colonel Whipple performed his duties with marked ability in connection with the Service of Supply and Communications for his division. By his tireless energy, exceptional administrative ability, initiative, and sound judgment he successfully solved many perplexing problems, maintaining at all times an adequate supply of food and ammunition for the troops, thereby rendering valuable services to the American Expeditionary Forces.

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  War Department, General Orders No. 49 (1922)
  

Home Town: Springfield, Massachusetts

White, Herbert A.

Citation:

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Herbert A. White, Colonel (Judge Advocate General), U.S. Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. As Acting Judge Advocate General for the American Expeditionary Forces and later for the American Forces in Germany and France, Colonel White performed very difficult and exacting duties with marked skill and distinction. In connection with the vast civil business of the War Department which passed through his hands he displayed a singular force of decision and sound judgment.

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  War Department, General Orders No. 15 (1921)
  

Home Town: Plymouth, Iowa

White, Herbert H.

Citation:

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Herbert H. White, Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery), U.S. Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. As Executive Officer of the 4th Section, General Staff, General Headquarters, American Expeditionary Forces, Lieutenant Colonel White was intimately associated with the organization of the Services of Supply and their direction. By his energy, ability, and good judgment in the discharge of important and arduous duties he greatly assisted in the successful operations of the Services of Supply in support of the forces in the field.

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  War Department, General Orders No. 59 (1919)
  

Home Town: Boise, Idaho

Whiteside, Warren W.

Citation:

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Warren W. Whiteside, Colonel (Cavalry), U.S. Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. As Division Quartermaster and later Commander of the 89th Division Train, Colonel Whiteside rendered services of great value to the American Expeditionary Forces. By his sound judgment and his ability as an organizer the system of supply and evacuation of his division functioned efficiently, which contributed greatly to the success of the 89th Division during the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives.

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  War Department, General Orders No. 3 (1929)
  

Home Town: Nashville, Tennessee

Whitfield, Robert

Citation:

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Robert Whitfield, Colonel (Infantry), U.S. Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. While on duty with the Operations Branch of the Operations Division, General Staff, Colonel Whitfield was charged with a multitude of exacting and very responsible duties, all of which he performed with conspicuous accuracy and thoroughness.

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  War Department, General Orders No. 89 (1919)
  

Home Town: Milledgeville, Georgia

Whitley, Franklin L.

Citation:

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Franklin L. Whitley, Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry), U.S. Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. In 1917, before instruction pamphlets were issued, Lieutenant Colonel Whitley prepared combat drill formations, suitable for war strength companies armed with new weapons. As Battalion Commander during the operations near Chateau-Thierry, he rendered valuable service. Due to his initiative and personal leadership, 39 days of constant contact with the enemy failed to break the morale of his organization. After the armistice, as Chief of the Decorations Division, General Headquarters, American Expeditionary Forces, by his sound judgment, professional knowledge, and exceptional ability, Lieutenant Colonel Whitley performed his manifold and responsible duties with the utmost efficiency. He has rendered services of material worth to the American Expeditionary Forces.

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  War Department, General Orders No. 27 (1922)
  

Home Town: St. Louis, Missouri

Whitman, Walter M.

Citation:

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Walter M. Whitman, Colonel (Infantry), U.S. Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. Colonel Whitman Commanded with marked distinction the 325th Infantry, 82d Division, throughout its period of service in France. An able and aggressive leader, he achieved eminent success in all the missions assigned to him, contributing materially to the achievements of his division.

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  War Department, General Orders No. 89 (1919)
  

Home Town: New York, New York

Whitson, Milton J.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Milton J. Whitson, Colonel (Quartermaster Corps), U.S. Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. While Officer in Charge of the Building Branch of the Construction Division of the Army, Colonel Whitson's task was of staggering magnitude and its successful accomplishment was in a great measure due to his qualities of organization, leadership, technical knowledge, and untiring energy.

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  War Department, General Orders No. 89 (1919)
  

Home Town: Seattle, Washington

Wickersham, Cornelius W.

(First Award)

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Cornelius W. Wickersham, Major (Infantry), U.S. Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I, as Acting Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, 4th Army Corps, and as Assistant to the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, 4th Army Corps, in the preparation and execution of the 4th Army Corps attack at St. Mihiel. Subsequently Major Wickersham was one of the principal officers to organized the 2d Army Headquarters.

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  War Department, General Orders No. 62 (1921)
  

Home Town: Cedarhurst, Long Island, New York

Wickes, Forsyth

Citation:

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Forsyth Wickes, Major (Infantry), U.S. Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. Major Wickes showed rare ability in the preliminary organization of the American Liaison Service and wide comprehension of the importance of forward interallied liaison. While attached to French divisions in liaison with the 1st American Division, he performed exacting duties of a delicate nature with energy and tact, achieving signal success. He aided materially in the maintenance of cordial relations between the French and American military authorities, his service being continuously marked by ability, sound judgment, and devotion to duty.

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  War Department, General Orders No. 62 (1919)
  

Home Town: Tuxedo Park, New York

Wigmore, John H.

Citation:

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to John H. Wigmore, Colonel (Judge Advocate General), U.S. Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. In connection with the administration of the Selective Service Law during the war, Colonel Wigmore originated and put into execution an excellent system of classification of registrants and his sound judgment and ability for analysis contributed materially to the success of the department.

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  War Department, General Orders No. 10 (1920)
  

Home Town: Chicago, Illinois

Wilby, Francis B.

(First Award)

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Francis B. Wilby (0-2023), Colonel (Corps of Engineers), U.S. Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. As Assistant in charge of Military Engineering in the Office of the Chief Engineer, American Expeditionary Forces, and later as Division Engineer of the 1st Division, Colonel Wilby displayed unusual ability and professional attainments of a high order. As Editor of the Engineer Field Notes, and as the author of a large number of them, his clear conception of the functions and duties of Engineer troops was most firmly impressed upon the Combat Engineers and contributed in a signal manner to their marked efficiency. By his rare technical skill and knowledge, keen adaptability to all conditions, he contributed materially to the success of the 1st Division in a position of great responsibility and in times and circumstances of the gravest importance.

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  War Department, General Orders No. 14 (1923)
  

Home Town: Arlington, Massachusetts