World War I last Names h q compiled and Edited By

• 
  General Orders 87, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Merle-Smith, Van Santvoord

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Van Santvoord Merle-Smith, Captain (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 165th Infantry Regiment, 42d Division, A.E.F., near Villers-sur-Fere, France, on July 28, 1918. Captain Merle-Smith was in command of a company at the crossing of the River Ourcq. Despite the loss of all the other officers in his company, and although wounded himself, he continued to direct his men effectively against the enemy. When his major was killed he succeeded to the command of the battalion and led it forward throughout the day with courage and gallantry.

• 
  General Orders No. 99, War Department, 1918
  

Home Town: New York, New York

Merrick, Robert G.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Robert G. Merrick, First Lieutenant (Field Artillery), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 10th Field Artillery, 3d Division, A.E.F., at Courban, France, July 14 - 15, 1918. After the members of his telephone detail had been pressed into service as runners under a hostile bombardment so severe that telephone communication could not be maintained, Lieutenant Merrick volunteered to drive an ambulance. He made three trips under terrific shell fire to evacuate wounded from Greves Farm.

• 
  General Orders No. 44, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Baltimore, Maryland

Merrifield, Edward L.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Edward L. Merrifield, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company E, 366th Infantry Regiment, 92d Division, A.E.F., near Lesseux, France, September 4, 1918. Although he was severely wounded, Private Merrifield remained at his post and continued to fight a superior enemy force which had attempted to enter our lines, thereby preventing the success of an enemy raid in force.

• 
  General Orders No. 15, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Greenville, Illinois

Merrill, Jesse Herbert

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Jesse Herbert Merrill, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company E, 312th Infantry Regiment, 78th Division, A.E.F., in the Bois-de-Ronvaux, France, September 16 - 17, 1918. With the remark, "I can get through and I can find him," Private Merrill volunteered and carried a message from his regimental commander to the commander of an advance battalion, through a fire that seemed impassible. He returned with amazing promptness with an answer to the message. This soldier made several other trips on the same night, finding his way through a dark forest, actually walking on bodies of men who had fallen in the only path that could be used.

• 
  General Orders No. 35, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Elizabethtown, New York

Merrimon, Clifton

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Clifton Merrimon, Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company L, 372d Infantry Regiment, 93d Division, A.E.F., near Bussy Farm, France, September 27, 1918. Corporal Merrimon attacked with hand grenades an enemy machine-gun which was causing heavy losses to his platoon, and succeeded in killing the gunner and putting the gun out of action. He then organized the remainder of the platoon and led them to their positions in the trenches south of Bussy Farm.

• 
  General Orders No. 13, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Cambridge, Massachusetts

Merritt, Charles B.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Charles B. Merritt, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company C, 345th Tank Battalion, Tank Corps, A.E.F., near Cheppy, France, September 26, 1918. While he was directing a column of tanks through a mine field, assisted by another soldier, his companion was wounded, but he continued with his work until all tanks had safely passed through. Returning, Private Merritt assisted his wounded comrade to safety, after which he carried messages through an intense bombardment of artillery and machine guns.

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  General Orders No. 46, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Merritt, Harry P.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Harry P. Merritt, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company I, 312th Infantry Regiment, 78th Division, A.E.F., near Grand Pre, France, November 1, 1918, After having established an observation post without aid in broad daylight and under perilous shell fire of the enemy, Sergeant Merritt volunteered and carried rations to the post under cover of darkness. Though knocked down by shell concussion, he reached every man who was unable to leave his post, and his entire exploit was carried out under most harassing machine-gun and artillery fire.

• 
  General Orders No. 44, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Montclair, New Jersey

Merritt, Henry C.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Henry C. Merritt, Second Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company C, 38th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, A.E.F., near Gland, France, June 18 - 19, 1918. After successfully crossing the Marne with a night patrol, Lieutenant Merritt captured three prisoners. The patrol was then fired on by a detachment of the enemy, and, in the hand-to-hand conflict which followed, all of the enemy were killed. The patrol returned to our lines with one prisoner, and only two of the members wounded.

• 
  General Orders 81, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Tuckahoe, New York

Mershon, Vance

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Vance Mershon, Captain (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, A.E.F., near Exermont, France, October 4 - 11, 1918. After the battalion commander and all the senior officers had been killed or wounded, Captain Mershon (then a first lieutenant) took command of the battalion and led it successfully to its objective, remaining with it after being painfully wounded, until properly relieved and the new commanding officer thoroughly acquainted with the situation. He then had his wound dressed and returned to his company, actively supervising the laying of barrages by indirect fire. On the third day he was ordered to the rear, there had his wounds dressed, again returning to his company, remaining with it until it was relieved and reorganized. His courage, self-sacrifice, and utter disregard for his own personal danger was a material inspiration to his men while under the terrific bombardment by enemy artillery.

• 
  General Orders No. 44, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Buckner, Missouri

Merz, Harry

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Harry Merz, First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 105th Infantry Regiment, 27th Division, A.E.F., in the Dickebusch sector, Belgium, August 27, 1918. When his company was occupying a front-line position and suffering heavy losses from a near-by enemy sniper, Lieutenant Merz, locating the sniper, left his shelter and at great personal danger courageously advanced and succeeded in destroying the sniper and his nest with hand grenades.

• 
  General Orders No. No. 56, War Department, 1922
  

Home Town: New York, New York

Messanelli, Ray A.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Ray A. Messanelli, Pharmacist's Mate, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving as Corpsman (Attached), Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F., near St. Etienne, France, October 4 - 5, 1918. Regardless of his personal danger, Pharmacist’s Mate Messanelli repeatedly exposed himself to machine-gun and shell fire to render first aid to the wounded.

• 
  General Orders No. 35, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Utica, New York

Messina, John

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John Messina, Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company B, 328th Infantry Regiment, 82d Division, A.E.F., in the attack on Hill 223, Chatel-Chehery, Argonne Forest, France, October 7, 1918. Corporal Messina, under heavy shell and machine-gun fire at the risk of his life carried a wounded officer from a shell hole to the regimental first-aid station.

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  General Orders No. No. 3, War Department, 1921
  

Home Town: Boston, Massachusetts

Messinger, Elias J.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Elias J. Messinger, Private, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the Fifty-Fifth Company, Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F., in action near Vierzy, France, July 19, 1918. Corporal Montag and Privates McIntyre, Messinger, and Wood, captured a machine gun which was holding up the Fifty-Fifth Company of Marines, killing the entire crew. To accomplish this hazardous and daring work it was necessary for t hem to expose themselves to the fire of this gun. Even though Corporal Montag and Privates McIntyre and Messinger were wounded during the advance, the party continued forward and succeeded.

• 
  General Order No. 126, War Department, 1918
  

Home Town: Boise, Idaho

Meurisse, Jean L.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Jean L. Meurisse, Captain, Army of France, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 27th Regiment, French Infantry, Army of France, near Chevillon, France, July 18, 1918. Acting as liaison officer with the 58th American Infantry, Captain Meurisse showed marked personal courage under intense fire, setting an example of fearlessness to the officers and men with him. His knowledge of German artillery enabled him to advise methods of approach for our troops which were instrumental in preventing many casualties.

• 
  General Orders 81, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: France

Meyer, Albert

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Albert Meyer, Private, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the Seventy-Ninth Company, Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F., in action near Thiaucourt, France, September 15, 1918. While on duty as stretcher bearer for his company, Private Meyer rushed into the open to rescue another soldier threatened with capture in the face of a large force of advancing Germans. He killed two of the enemy and brought in the soldier to a place of safety.

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  General Order No. 37, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: New York, New York

*Meyer, Albert C.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Albert C. Meyer, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company G, 326th Infantry Regiment, 82d Division, A.E.F., near St. Juvin, France, October 11, 1918. After his platoon had suffered heavy casualties through the devastating fire, Sergeant Meyer, although suffering from a wound, reorganized the remnants of the platoon and continued the advance. He was again wounded, but refused evacuation. He insisted on remaining with and cheering the men, until struck the third time when he fell mortally wounded.

• 
  General Orders 78, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Jeanette, Pennsylvania

*Meyer, Frank E.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Frank E. Meyer, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company H, 38th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, A.E.F., near Romagne, France, October 8, 1918. Sergeant Meyer courageously led his platoon through a terrific barrage and silenced a machine-gun position which was enfilading the attacking line. This soldier was killed later in this action.

• 
  General Orders No. 37, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Lanesville, Indiana

*Meyer, Fred H.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Fred H. Meyer, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company A, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, A.E.F., near Cantigny, France, May 27, 1918. While acting as helper on an automatic rifle team which was under heavy machine-gun fire, Private Meyer placed himself so as to shield the gunner from the hostile fire, enabling him to operate his gun so as to neutralize the fire of two enemy machine guns. Private Meyer was mortally wounded, his heroic action costing him his life.

• 
  General Orders 74, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: New York, New York

Meyer, George F.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to George F. Meyer, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company K, 165th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, A.E.F., at Landres-et-St. George, France, November 1, 1918. Although suffering severely from an attack of gas received on the previous night while leading a patrol in front of Landres-et-St. Georges, during which he secured information of the utmost importance, Sergeant Meyer, in the absence of a commissioned officer, assumed command of his company, which held the most advanced post of his battalion. A high-explosive shell burning four men of his company, he immediately and with complete disregard for his own safety, hurried to their rescue and under a heavy barrage of enemy machine-gun and artillery fire, dug with his hands and helmet until he uncovered and rescued the first man; with the assistance of a private of his company he then rescued two more men and gave directions for their evacuation. He then, unassisted and under a withering enemy fire, uncovered the body of the fourth man of his company, the latter having been killed instantly.

• 
  General Orders No. 9, War Department, 1923
  

Home Town: New York, New York

Meyering, William D.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William D. Meyering, First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Division, A.E.F., at Riga, France, while commanding a platoon of infantry which was attacked by the enemy on the morning of April 6, 1918. First Lieutenant Meyering took effective measures before and during the attack to defeat the enemy and handled his men well, under fire, until he was seriously wounded. Forced to attend to his wound, he refused assistance and walked through the enemy's barrage to a dressing station. He objected to being taken to the rear till he knew the outcome of the attack. His brave example inspired his men to drive off the enemy, who did not reach our trenches. He lost his right hand by amputation as the result of the wound.

• 
  General Orders No. No. 59, War Department, 1918
  

Home Town: Chicago, Illinois

Mezoff, John J.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John J. Mezoff, Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company E, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division, A.E.F., near Samogneux, France, October 15, 1918. When his company was subjected to severe machine-gun fire, Corporal Mezoff, with two other soldiers, attacked a nest of four machine guns, killing eight of the enemy and capturing 27.

• 
  General Orders No. 37, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Waverly, Virginia

Mianovich, Stanko

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Stanko Mianovich, Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company L, 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Division, A.E.F., near Bellicourt, France, September 29, 1918. Separated from his platoon, Corporal Mianovich encountered a patrol of 18 Germans, attacked them and killed three and captured 15.

• 
  General Orders 81, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Zeigler, Illinois

Michael, William Howard

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William Howard Michael, Lieutenant Commander (MC), U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action as Surgeon serving with the Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F., in action near the Bois de Belleau, France, June 6, 1918. Lieutenant Commander Michael displayed unusual courage on the morning of June 6 when he established a dressing station in the open, exposed to both shell and machine-gun fire, in order to be near the wounded. Under these conditions he worked for several hours.

• 
  General Orders No. No. 147, War Department, 1918
  

Home Town: Perryman, Maryland

Michaelis, Charles W.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Charles W. Michaelis, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company E, 131st Infantry Regiment, 33d Division, A.E.F., at Chipilly Ridge, France, August 10, 1918. Private Michaelis showed gallantry in attacking an enemy machine-gun nest with his platoon sergeant, killing the crew and capturing the gun, which he used later effectively against the enemy.

• 
  General Orders No. No. 128, War Department, 1918
  

Home Town: East St. Louis, Illinois

Michaels, Emmet C.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Emmet C. Michaels, First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Division, A.E.F., near Somme-Py, France, October 3, 1918. After five members of an automatic rifle squad had been killed by sniper fire, and the others were unable to take a machine-gun nest, which was holding up the advance of the company, Lieutenant Michaels led the remaining members of the squad against the nest, capturing 15 of the gunners and lulling the others. Later, Lieutenant Michaels was severely wounded while carrying a wounded member of his platoon to safety, but refused medical attention until the soldier had been cared for.

• 
  General Orders No. 32, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: St. Joseph, Missouri

Michalka, Gustave A.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Gustave A. Michalka, Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company E, 125th Infantry Regiment, 32d Division, A.E.F., near Cierges, northeast of Chateau-Thierry, France, July 31, 1918. When his platoon advanced up the slope in front of the Bois les Jomblets, it became necessary to put out of action an enemy machine gun that was cutting up the platoon. Corporal Michalka grasped the situation and at the risk of his own life advanced upon the nest with two of his men, killed the operators, and captured the gun.

• 
  General Orders No. No. 117, War Department, 1918
  

Home Town: Flint, Michigan

Michel, Marcel H.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Marcel H. Michel, Sergeant, French Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving as Pilot, 218th Escadrille, French Air Service, in the region of St. Mihiel, France, September 12, 1918. Sergeant Michel, while on a reconnaissance, had his wireless outfit destroyed by enemy fire. Realizing that he could not communicate with his lines, and also being well into the enemy's territory, he descended to an extremely low altitude. Disregarding the enemy's antiaircraft and ground machine-gun fire, he attacked an enemy convoy, causing considerable damage.

• 
  General Orders 81, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: France

Michener, John H.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John H. Michener, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 1st Aero Squadron, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Varennes, France, October 4, 1918. First Lieutenant Michener was assigned the mission of locating the front lines of our troops at a time when dense mist and low clouds compelled him to fly at an altitude of only 100 meters. His observer's signal rockets drew fire from, an advanced hostile machine-gun battery and Lieutenant Michener was wounded in the leg. Despite his wound, he continued the mission until the position of our troops was ascertained. He was then compelled to land on shell-torn ground behind the lines, the plane being completely wrecked.

• 
  General Orders No. 20, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Erie, Pennsylvania

Micklish, Fred

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Fred Micklish, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company L, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, A.E.F., near Fossoy, France, July 15, 1918. Acting as runner, Private Micklish made repeated trips through the heavy enemy bombardment, until wounded while carrying a message. Though suffering great pain, he completed his mission before reporting for treatment.

• 
  General Orders No. 44, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Jonesboro, Arkansas

Midkiff, Holly

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Holly Midkiff, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company L, 131st Infantry Regiment, 33d Division, A.E.F., at Bois-de- Harville, France, November 10, 1918. Preceding his platoon in the advance by fifteen yards, Sergeant Midkiff discovered a machine-gun nest, and, crawling forward alone, under heavy fire, captured the enemy position, taking prisoner 12 Germans who had manned two machine guns. His bravery inspired the men of his platoon.