World War I last Names h q compiled and Edited By

• 
  General Orders No. 50, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Farmville, North Carolina

Pearce, Percy R.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Percy R. Pearce, First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 2d Infantry Brigade, 1st Division, A.E.F., during a violent attack from artillery and machine-guns at Berzy-le-Sec, France, July 21, 1918. While serving as liaison officer First Lieutenant Pearce fearlessly exposed himself, exceeding the demands of duty to assist in reforming units that had been disseminated in battle and directing them to effective positions.

• 
  General Orders No. No. 132, War Department, 1918
  

Home Town: Newark, New Jersey

*Pearce, Zeno W.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Zeno W. Pearce, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company C, 1st Engineers, 1st Division, A.E.F., near Soissons, France, July 20, 1918. When volunteers were called for by his company commander, Private Pearce volunteered and rescued wounded comrades from a barrage. Disregarding danger to himself, he continued the performance of these heroic deeds until killed.

• 
  General Orders No. No. 124, War Department, 1918
  

Home Town: Oakland, California

*Pearman, Lee, Jr.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Lee Pearman, Jr., Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company E, 112th Infantry Regiment, 28th Division, A.E.F., during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, France, September 30, 1918. When the advance of the platoon was being held up by heavy enemy machine-gun fire, Private Pearman left his place of comparative safety and succeeded in getting close enough to the machine guns nest to use a hand grenade, which proved very successful, killing four and wounding one of the enemy, thereby breaking up the next completely and enabling the platoon to advance. In the performance of this act Private Pearman was killed instantly.

• 
  General Orders No. No. 5, War Department, 1937
  

Home Town: Kane, Pennsylvania

Pearson, Harry L.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Harry L. Pearson, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Machine-Gun Company No. 3, 370th Infantry Regiment, 93d Division, A.E.F., near Ferme la Folie, France, September 30, 1918. While under heavy fire Private Pearson volunteered and, accompanied by another soldier, rescued a wounded comrade from an exposed position, carrying him to the first-aid station.

• 
  General Orders No. 46, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Decatur, Illinois

*Pearson, Varlourd

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Varlourd Pearson, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company I, 137th Infantry Regiment, 35th Division, A.E.F., near Baulny, France, September 28, 1918. Though wounded three times by shrapnel and machine-gun bullets, Sergeant Pearson refused to be evacuated and continued to lead the advance of ; his platoon, remaining in command for several hours till he received a fourth wound which proved fatal.

• 
  General Orders 95, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Manhattan, Kansas

Pease, Liberty

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Liberty Pease, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company E, 168th Infantry Regiment, 42d Division, A.E.F., in the Forest- de-Fere, near Nestles, northeast of Chateau-Thierry, France, July 26 to August 2, 1918. During the advance of his regiment in the Forest de Fere, Private Pease distinguished himself by his voluntary, authorized, and untiring efforts in carrying wounded, both by day and by night, under the most severe and dangerous circumstances, and especially when the town of Sergy was under bombardment, July 31, 1918.

• 
  General Orders No. No. 102, War Department, 1918
  

Home Town: Farragut, Iowa

Peatross, James Linwood

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James Linwood Peatross, Major (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 353d Infantry Regiment, 89th Division, A.E.F., near Bantheville, France, November 2, 1918. Though he had been wounded the day before and was so weak from exposure that he could hardly talk, Major Peatross remained with his battalion and led it in assault on enemy machine-gun nests north of the Bois-de-Barricourt. Under his personal direction, without artillery support, the machine-gun nests were flanked and the day's objective reached in spite of the most determined resistance.

• 
  General Orders No. 46, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Rome, Missouri

Peavy, Joe B.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Joe B. Peavy, First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 327th Infantry Regiment, 82d Division, A.E.F., near Cornay, France, October 9, 1918. Although his command was nearly surrounded and enemy machine-guns were pouring an incessant fire on them, Lieutenant Peavy directed the fire of his men, after having been seriously wounded. He remained during the advance, refusing first aid until those about him needing attention were properly cared for.

• 
  General Orders 81, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Hamilton, Georgia

*Peck, Myron H.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Myron H. Peck, Captain (Corps of Engineers), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 2d Battalion, 2d Engineers, 2d Division, A.E.F., at St. Etienne, France, October 9, 1918. While in command of his battalion, holding part of the line in St. Etienne, Captain Peck personally conducted a reconnaissance, after pervious patrols had failed, in order to establish liaison with the troops on his right. Captain Peck lost his life during this reconnaissance.

• 
  General Orders No. 44, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Montclair, New Jersey

Peck, Robert Halford

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Robert Halford Peck, Colonel (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 11th Infantry Regiment, 5th Division, A.E.F., near Liny- Devant-Dun, Fontaine, and Brandeville, France, November 6 - 8, 1918. Throughout the successive attacks on Liny-Devant-Dun, Cote 292, Bois du Chenois, Fontaines, Murvaux, Bois du Corrai, and Bois-de-Brandeville, Colonel Peck exhibited conspicuous gallantry, stimulating his command to a high state of enthusiasm and creating a superb morale. Placing himself in front of the leading waves, he personally led his men to the assault. Accompanied by nine men, he attacked a battery of enemy artillery near La Maisonette Farm, forcing the abandonment and subsequent capture of the battery. Under his skillful leadership his regiment captured numerous prisoners, six pieces of artillery, three antiaircraft guns, 150 machine-guns, and vast quantities of ammunition and supplies.

• 
  General Orders No. No. 143, War Department, 1918
  

Home Town: San Diego, California

*Peck, William R.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William R. Peck, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company C, 354th Infantry Regiment, 42d Division, A.E.F., near Remonville, France, November 1, 1918. Sergeant Peck was advancing with his company across an open field when an enemy machine gun opened fire on them from the right front. The attention of the platoon commander was occupied by the enemy in his front while the enemy on the right flank was directing his gun upon him. Observing that the gunner was aiming directly at Second Lieutenant William S. Holcombe, Sergeant Peck threw himself against the lieutenant, pushing him into a shell hole, thereby saving his life, but exposing himself to the fire of the hostile gun which killed him instantly.

• 
  General Orders No. No. 1, War Department, 1934
  

Home Town: Washburn, Wisconsin

Pedersen, Ingvald O.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Ingvald O. Pedersen, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, A.E.F., near Fossoy, France, July 14 - 15, 1918. Private Pedersen volunteered and carried a message over a heavily shelled route, and although wounded in the execution of this task, he accomplished the mission.

• 
  General Orders No. 44, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Pederson, William J.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William J. Pederson, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company H, 307th Infantry Regiment, 77th Division, A.E.F., near Oches, France, November 4, 1918. Exposing himself to heavy machine-gun fire, Private Pederson crossed an open field 300 yards wide and rescued a severely wounded comrade.

• 
  General Orders No. 46, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Becker, Minnesota

Pedro, Jerome C.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Jerome C. Pedro, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 2d Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Division, A.E.F., near Medeah Ferme, France, October 3 - 9, 1918. As a runner, Private Pedro displayed the utmost disregard for personal danger in carrying messages from his regimental commander to all parts of the line, under heavy shell fire, setting a splendid example of courage and devotion to duty, until he was seriously wounded.

• 
  General Orders 98, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: New Bedford, Massachusetts

*Pegg, Donald A.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Donald A. Pegg, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Medical Detachment, 12th Machine-Gun Battalion (Attached), 4th Division, A.E.F., near the Bois-des-Ogons, France, September 30, 1918. While engaged in administering first aid under terrific machine-gun fire, Private Pegg voluntarily went to an especially dangerous position to care for a wounded soldier, and in so doing was himself killed.

• 
  General Orders No. 44, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Arlington, New Jersey

Pegues, Josiah J.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Josiah J. Pegues, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 95th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Dun-sur-Meuse, France, November 5, 1918. On account of heavy clouds and mist, Lieutenant Pegues became detached from his formation. While endeavoring to find it, he came upon eight hostile planes which were maneuvering to attack four of our planes. With great courage and skill he passed through the formation and attacked its leader, dispersed the formation, preventing further attack.

• 
  General Orders No. 46, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Chicago, Illinois

Pelkey, Edwin

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Edwin Pelkey, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company C, 107th Field Signal Battalion, 32d Division, A.E.F., near Cierges, France, August 2, 1918. Private Pelkey was a member of a detachment stringing telephone wire in advance of the front lines through the heaviest artillery fire. When connection was established at a point within 100 yards of the German line and before the American advance was begun, Private Pelkey volunteered to remain there until our troops had advanced far enough to establish the advance regimental post of command at that place. His devotion to duty under conditions of great danger assisted immeasurably in maintaining unity of action between the front lines and regimental post of command, and his utter indifference to his own safety made easier the capture of a strong enemy position.

• 
  General Orders No. 20, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Reno, Nevada

Pendell, Elmer

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Elmer Pendell, First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 168th Aero Squadron (Attached), 120th Infantry Regiment, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Rembercourt and Charey, France, November 4, 1918. As observer in a DH-4 plane, Lieutenant Pendell flew an infantry contact machine over the line of the 7th Division. Because of exceedingly adverse weather conditions, Lieutenant Pendell disregarded the danger of fire from the ground and crossed the lines at 1,000 feet altitude. While thus flying he was wounded in the shoulder by an explosive bullet fired from the ground. Disregarding his wound, he came down to an altitude as low as 500 feet. After securing the desired information he wrote out his message with great effort and dropped it to the division.

• 
  General Orders No. 1, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Waverly, New York

Pennington, Edgar

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Edgar Pennington, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Medical Detachment, 357th Infantry Regiment (Attached), 90th Division, A.E.F., near Bantheville, France, October 23 - 24, 1918. Private Pennington demonstrated the highest bravery and devotion to duty in giving first-aid treatment to wounded men under terrific bombardment of gas and high-explosive shells. Going over the top with his company he attended wounded men and directed their evacuation until he became exhausted and had to be sent to a hospital.

• 
  General Orders No. 46, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Mangum, Oklahoma

Pepin, Edmund

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Edmund Pepin, Second Lieutenant, French Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving as Pilot, 47th Escadrille Sal, French Air Service, in the region of St. Mihiel, France, September 12, 1918. Lieutenant Pepin, in the most adverse weather conditions, flew at an extremely low altitude for two hours and a half, thoroughly reconnoitering enemy positions and returning with information of the greatest value.

• 
  General Orders 81, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: France

Percy, William J.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William J. Percy, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company E, 108th Infantry Regiment, 27th Division, A.E.F., near Ronssoy, France, September 29, 1918. After having been wounded in the face and legs, Sergeant Percy led a patrol, under heavy shell and machine-gun fire, against an enemy machine-gun nest and succeeded in capturing one gun and 15 prisoners.

• 
  General Orders No. 37, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Niagara Falls, New York

Perdew, Earnest E.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Earnest E. Perdew, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company H, 364th Infantry Regiment, 91st Division, A.E.F., near Eclisfontaine, France, September 28, 1918. Assisted by another sergeant, and leading a combat group across an open valley under constant hostile fire, Sergeant Perdew completed the capture of four machine-gun nests and three prisoners.

• 
  General Orders No. 37, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Etiwanda, California

Perkaus, Frank

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Frank Perkaus, Supply Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company K, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Division, A.E.F., near Soissons, France, July 18, 1918. Sergeant Perkaus volunteered to go about 350 yards in advance of our lines to locate the enemy and secure other information. He made the trip through heavy machine-gun and artillery fire and secured the information but was wounded while returning to our line. When ordered to the dressing station by his commanding officer, he helped others who were more seriously wounded than himself to reach the station.

• 
  General Orders No. 46, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Chicago, Illinois

*Perkins, Byron R.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Byron R. Perkins, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 1st Engineers, 1st Division, A.E.F., near Soissons, France, July 20, 1918. When volunteers were called for by his company commander, Private Perkins volunteered and rescued wounded comrades from a barrage. Disregarding danger to himself, he 'continued the performance of these heroic deeds until killed.

• 
  General Orders No. No. 124, War Department, 1918
  

Home Town: Springfield, Massachusetts

Perkins, Earl H.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Earl H. Perkins, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company M, 131st Infantry Regiment, 33d Division, A.E.F., in the Meuse-Argonne offensive, September 26, 1918. With three other soldiers, Sergeant Perkins, on his own initiative, crawled across an open field, subjected to intense artillery and machine-gun fire, flanking three machine-gun positions, which were holding up our advance. The mission was successful, seven Germans being killed by the patrol and 23 captured and three machine guns captured.

• 
  General Orders 87, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Chicago, Illinois

Peronace, Anthony

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Anthony Peronace, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company B, 4th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, A.E.F., near Gland, France, July 21, 1918. With his platoon leader and one other soldier, Private Peronace captured an enemy machine-gun and eight prisoners.

• 
  General Orders No. 32, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: New York, New York

Perrin, Edouard

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Edouard Perrin, Brigadier, Army of France, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 350th Tank Company, French Tank Corps, Army of France, near Gesnes, France, October 4, 1918. During the first attack on Hill 255 Brigadier Perrin's tank was destroyed and he was captured. On the following night he escaped and on the following day took part in the second attack on the hill. He was wounded soon after the engagement began, but continued to operate his gun, giving an important support to our advancing Infantry. He refused to leave the field for treatment until the mission had been successfully completed.

• 
  General Orders 78, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: France

*Perry, Seth E.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Seth E. Perry, Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company K, 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Division, A.E.F., near Bellicourt, France, September 29, 1918. When a portion of his company was threatened with a counterattack and he had seen one runner killed in an attempt to reach them from company headquarters with orders to fall back, he volunteered for the dangerous mission. While crossing an open field under heavy fire, he was mortally wounded.

• 
  General Orders 87, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Okisko, North Carolina

Personett, John E.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John E. Personett, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company C, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, A.E.F., at Hill 272, near Fleville, France, October 8, 1918. Although severely wounded at the beginning of the attack, Sergeant Personett refused to be evacuated, but continued to direct his platoon in the advance. In an attack on an enemy machine-gun position, after all other members of his group were killed or wounded in the attack, he alone rushed the position and captured the gun and crew. This permitted the further advance of the company.

• 
  General Orders No. No. 35, War Department, 1920
  

Home Town: Lenora, Kansas

Persons, John C.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John C. Persons, Captain (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 47th Infantry Regiment, 4th Division, A.E.F., at St. Thibault, France, August 8, 1918. While serving as adjutant, 47th Infantry, Captain Persons was instructed by his regimental commander to deliver a message to the brigade commander. The telephone lines to the rear having been destroyed, he proceeded under intense enemy fire through a narrow pass, accompanied by a corporal and private of his regiment. Exposed to constant enemy fire, he had reached a place of safety when he learned that the corporal had been hit by enemy fire. Immediately returning, he carried the corporal to a dressing station in a storm of machine-gun and rifle fire from the enemy lines, thus saving the soldier's life and in utter disregard for his own safety.

• 
  General Orders No. 9, War Department, 1923
  

Home Town: Tuscaloosa, Alabama

*Peters, Herbert N.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Herbert N. Peters, Captain (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 358th Infantry Regiment, 90th Division, A.E.F., near Les Huit Chemins, France, September 12 - 14, 1918. As commander of the support company of his battalion, Captain Peters displayed courage and leadership by rushing two platoons into position to protect the right flank of the battalion, which had suddenly become exposed. Under his personal leadership, in the face of intense machine-gun and shell, fire a number of enemy machine-gun nests were stormed and enemy combat troops dispersed. Serious danger to the advancing line was thereby averted. Captain Peters was killed shortly afterward in a raid on the enemy.