World War I last Names h q compiled and Edited By

• 
  General Orders No. No. 140, War Department, 1918
  

Home Town: Sabinal, Texas

Peters, William H.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William H. Peters, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company I, 131st Infantry Regiment, 33d Division, A.E.F., at Bois-de- Chaume, France, October 10, 1918. When the advance of his platoon was held up by an enemy machine-gun, Private Peters on his own initiative flanked the position, killed the gunner, and captured the rest of the crew, thereby allowing the platoon to advance.

• 
  General Orders No. 35, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Chicago, Illinois

*Petersen, Leonard

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Leonard Petersen, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 140th Ambulance Company, 110th Sanitary Train, 35th Division, A.E.F., near Baulny, France, September 29, 1918. Serving as a litter bearer, Private Petersen voluntarily left cover and exposed himself to intense artillery fire to rescue wounded men lying in the open. Mortally wounded, he continued to assist in the rescue of wounded comrades till he fell exhausted.

• 
  General Orders No. 59, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Kansas City, Kansas

*Petersen, Theodor

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Theodor Petersen, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Medical Detachment, 151st Field Artillery (Attached), 42d Division, A.E.F., near Pexonne, France, March 5, 1918. After being mortally wounded, Sergeant Petersen gave first gas tests in order to save the lives of the men about him. He died the same night.

• 
  General Orders No. No. 17, War Department, 1924
  

Home Town: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Petersen, Victor

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Victor Petersen, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company H, 132d Infantry Regiment, 33d Division, A.E.F., near Forges, France, September 26, 1918. When his platoon was held up by a heavy flanking machine-gun fire, Sergeant Petersen advanced alone ahead of the platoon, on his own initiative, and successfully cleaned up the machine-gun nest with hand grenades and captured the machine-gun.

• 
  General Orders No. 37, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Chicago, Illinois

*Peterson, Albert C.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Albert C. Peterson, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company B, 307th Infantry Regiment, 77th Division, A.E.F., near Grand Pre, France, October 15, 1918. Private Peterson sacrificed his life in fearlessly going out in the face of machine-gun fire and attempting to rescue another soldier who had been mortally wounded.

• 
  General Orders No. 37, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Stacy, Minnesota

Peterson, David McKelvey

(First Award)

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to David McKelvey Peterson, Captain (Air Service), U.S. Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 94th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Luneville, France, on May 3, 1918. Leading a patrol of three, Captain Peterson encountered five enemy planes at an altitude of 3,500 meters and immediately gave battle. Notwithstanding the fact that he was attacked from all sides, this officer, by skillful maneuvering, succeeded in shooting down one of the enemy's planes and dispersing the remaining four.

• 
  General Orders No. No. 121, War Department, 1918
  

Home Town: Honesdale, Pennsylvania

Peterson, David McKelvey

(Second Award)

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross (First Oak Leaf Cluster) is presented to David McKelvey Peterson, Captain (Air Service), U.S. Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 94th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Thiaucourt, France, on May 15, 1918. While on a patrol alone Captain Peterson encountered two enemy planes at an altitude of 52 meters. He promptly attacked, despite the odds, and shot down one of the enemy planes in flames. While thus engaged he was attacked from above by the second enemy plane, but by skillful maneuvering he succeeded in shooting it down also.

• 
  General Orders No. No. 121, War Department, 1918
  

Home Town: Honesdale, Pennsylvania

Peterson, George I.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to George I. Peterson, Pharmacist's Mate Third Class, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving as Corpsman (Attached), Company M, Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F., near St. Etienne, France, October 3 - 7, 1918. Pharmacist's Mate Peterson was directly responsible for the saving of several lives while obliged to care for the company's wounded alone. On succeeding days he traveled from one side of the company sector to the other, through artillery and machine-gun barrage, hunting and caring for the wounded.

• 
  General Orders No. 37, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Paxton, Illinois

*Peterson, Helmer

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Helmer Peterson, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company E, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Division, A.E.F., near Tuilerie Farm, France, November 4, 1918. Private Peterson displayed exceptional bravery in carrying important messages to the rear through heavy enemy artillery and machine-gun barrages, keeping his commanding officer informed as to the situation at all times. Tireless in his efforts, he was instrumental in the success of the operation.

• 
  General Orders No. 44, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Decorah, Iowa

*Peterson, Holgar

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Holgar Peterson, Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company C, 308th Infantry Regiment, 77th Division, A.E.F., near Charlevaux, France, October 3 - 7, 1918. While leading a scouting party, Corporal Peterson encountered an enemy patrol and displayed exceptional courage and leadership in killing the officer and two soldiers who composed it. He repeatedly volunteered for dangerous patrol work with great bravery and aggressiveness, until he was killed.

• 
  General Orders 87, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: New York, New York

Peterson, Oscar W.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Oscar W. Peterson, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company A, 59th Infantry Regiment, 4th Division, A.E.F., near Courchamps, France, July 19, 1918. Discovering the enemy making a counterattack to the left flank of his platoon, Sergeant Peterson immediately organized a combat group of 25 men, and though greatly outnumbered by the Germans he succeeded in routing them, inspiring his men by his disregard of personal danger. He was severely wounded later in the day, but he refused to go to the rear until he had reorganized his platoon an hour and a half later.

• 
  General Orders 95, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Jamestown, North Dakota

Peterson, Roy W.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Roy W. Peterson, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company D, 114th Machine-Gun Battalion, 30th Division, A.E.F., near Bellicourt, France, September 29, 1918. Severely wounded while operating a machine-gun under shell fire, Private Peterson refused to leave his post until he was removed by his comrades against his protests.

• 
  General Orders No. 32, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Center, Nebraska

Peterson, Solomon

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Solomon Peterson, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company I, 362d Infantry Regiment, 91st Division, A.E.F., during the Argonne offensive, France, September 26 - 29, 1918. Sergeant Peterson repeatedly led patrols in successful attacks on enemy machine-gun emplacements, displaying calmness and keen judgment. After being wounded he insisted on remaining in command of his platoon.

• 
  General Orders No. 15, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Mosby, Montana

Peterson, Van Walker

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Van Walker Peterson, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company B, 131st Infantry Regiment, 33d Division, A.E.F., near Bois-de-Chaume, France, October 10, 1918. When the company guarding the flank was on the verge of retreating in disorder, Sergeant Peterson avoided the perilous situation by jumping to the front and holding the badly shaken troops in their positions on the line. His quick action during the terrific fire was responsible for the safety of the entire line.

• 
  General Orders No. 37, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Chicago, Illinois

Peterson, Walter O. L.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Walter O. L. Peterson, First Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company H, 128th Infantry Regiment, 32d Division, A.E.F., near Romagne, France, October 5, 1918. Because of casualties among officers, Sergeant Peterson was placed in command of the second wave, which he led with exceptional bravery and leadership. When it became isolated in a fog, he crawled forward by himself to ascertain the character of troops which were seen one kilometer to the front, and upon finding that they were hostile, immediately established liaison with adjacent units and straightened out his line after breaking up several enemy machine-gun nests.

• 
  General Orders No. 44, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

*Peterson, William C.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William C. Peterson, Second Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Army Infantry, Fifth Regiment (Marines) (Attached), 2d Division, A.E.F., at Chateau-Thierry, France, June 6, 1918. Killed in action, Lieutenant Peterson gave the supreme proof of that extraordinary heroism which will serve as an example to hitherto untried troops.

• 
  General Orders No. No. 119, War Department, 1918
  

Home Town: Crystal Lake, Illinois

Petit, Auguste J.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Auguste J. Petit, Marechal des Logis, Army of France, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 5th Company, 5th Regiment, Mounted Chasseurs, Army of France, east of Daucourt, France, September 27, 1918. Having been ordered to attack Bonvrot Farm, Marechal des Logis Petit led his platoon forward with fixed bayonets and cut off the enemy, capturing the position, which had been occupied by the enemy since dawn. His platoon, numbering but 20, took 85 prisoners and four machine-guns.

• 
  General Orders 62, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: France

Petit, Charles L.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Charles L. Petit, Second Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 102d Infantry Regiment, 26th Division, A.E.F., near Verdun, France, October 27, 1918. After being seriously wounded in the assault against strong enemy positions in the Bois-de-le Reine, Lieutenant Pettit stumbled on at the head of his command until compelled to turn over the command to a sergeant, on account of his condition. After this he remained in a shell hole under terrific concentration of machine-gun and artillery fire, encouraging his men as best he could, and aiding to the utmost of his ability by sniping the enemy with the rifle of a soldier wounded more severely than himself.

• 
  General Orders 98, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Clare, Michigan

Petrach, Emil H.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Emil H. Petrach, Bugler, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company G, 56th Infantry Regiment, 7th Division, A.E.F., near Preny Ridge, France, November 1, 1918. Under heavy and deadly machine-gun fire, Bugler Petrach carried messages to and from his company. After all other means of communication had been cut off, he volunteered and carried many important messages through artillery fire, thus establishing liaison with the rear. He was later wounded while passing through a barrage.

• 
  General Orders No. 32, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Youngstown, Ohio

*Petree, Harris E.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Harris E. Petree, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 139th Aero Squadron, 4th Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Marville, France, September 26, 1918. After having become separated from his patrol, Lieutenant Petree encountered seven enemy planes. He alone attacked this enemy group and continued in combat against these great odds for over one hour, when he was killed.

• 
  General Orders No. No. 10, War Department, 1920
  

Home Town: Washington, D.C.

*Petrimean, George

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to George Petrimean, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Machine-Gun Company, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, A.E.F., northeast of Exermont, France, October 9, 1918. Sergeant Petrimean led his machine-gun section through heavy machine-gun and artillery fire to an exposed position in order to engage an enemy machine gun which was causing heavy casualties to his battalion. He was killed during the attack. Sergeant Petrimean had previously performed a gallant service while keeping his machine-gun section in action during a heavy enemy bombardment at Cantigny, France, May 28, 1918

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

Home Town: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Petrovic, Joseph F.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Joseph F. Petrovic, Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Battery D, 6th Field Artillery, 1st Division, A.E.F., near Fleville, France, October 5 - 7,1918. When a shell burst near his gun, throwing him across the train of the piece and killing or wounding all of the section but himself and one other cannoneer, Corporal Petrovic and the latter succeeded in repairing the piece and continued the rolling barrage until it became impossible to fire the gun again. Two days later, under almost identical circumstances, he and one other soldier continued at their post, after the other members of the crew had been wounded, and continued to serve the piece until the completion of the barrage.

• 
  General Orders 98, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Joliet, Illinois

Petty, Orlando Henderson

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Orlando Henderson Petty, Lieutenant (MC), U.S. Navy (Reserve Force), for extraordinary heroism in action while serving as Medical Officer (Attached), Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F., in France during the attack in the Boise de Belleau, 11 June 1918. While he was treating wounded under bombardment of gas and high-explosive shells, Lieutenant Petty was knocked down and his gas mask torn by a bursting gash shell, but he discarded his gas mask and continued his work. Later, when his dressing station was demolished by another shell, he helped carry a wounded officer through the shellfire to a place of safety.

Born: 2/20/1874 at Harrison, Ohio

Home Town: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

*Petty, Willard D.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Willard D. Petty, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company B, 131st Infantry Regiment, 33d Division, A.E.F., near Consenvoye, France, October 10, 1918. Showing utter disregard of personal danger, Private Petty went to the rescue of his wounded platoon leader who lay in a zone covered by heavy enemy machine-gun fire, being himself mortally wounded in the, attempt. Private Petty volunteered to attempt the rescue, which cost him his life, after two of his comrades had been killed and another wounded in similar trials.

• 
  General Orders 64, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Joliet, Illinois

Peurifoy, John M.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John M. Peurifoy, First Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company L, 326th Infantry Regiment, 82d Division, A.E.F., near Pylone, France, October 9, 1913. After he had seen an officer and 13 men of his company fall from the fire of enemy machine-guns and snipers, Sergeant Peurifoy advanced alone, and, after crawling about 50 yards in advance of his company, he shot a sniper from a tree and drove off the crews of two machine-guns located nearby. His action permitted the further advance of his company.

• 
  General Orders 81, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Griffin, Georgia

Peyton, Byron W.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Byron W. Peyton, Supply Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Supply Company, 166th Infantry Regiment, 42d Division, A.E.F., northeast of Chateau-Thierry, France, July 29, 1918. In response to a call from the attacking battalion for ammunition Sergeant Peyton drove a combat wagon in broad daylight into the front-line positions near Fere-en-Tardenois, and delivered the ammunition required by his comrades on the front.

• 
  General Orders No. 99, War Department, 1918
  

Home Town: Columbus, Ohio

Pfeil, Clarence

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Clarence Pfeil, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company K, 327th Infantry Regiment, 82d Division, A.E.F., in the Argonne-Meuse offensive, October 9, 1918. Assisted by another soldier, Private Pfeil crawled far in advance of our lines, under terrific machine-gun and shell fire, and brought back a severely wounded comrade.

• 
  General Orders No. 50, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Sandusky, Ohio

Phelan, Edward F.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Edward F. Phelan, Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company E, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Division, A.E.F., near Vierzy, France, July 18, 1918. Corporal Phelan voluntarily left the assaulting wave of his company and, single-handed, captured or killed the entire crew of a concealed machine-gun position, which was delivering a terrific and accurate fire upon his comrades from the right flank. His timely and gallant act drew the fire of the machine-gun from his comrades until they were able to find shelter, and saved the lives of many of the assaulting wave.

• 
  General Orders 81, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: Braintree, Massachusetts

Phelan, Jeremiah A.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Jeremiah A. Phelan, Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company M, 328th Infantry Regiment, 82d Division, A.E.F., at Cornay, France, October 9 - 10, 1918. After fighting for six hours, Corporal Phelan volunteered to accompany 15 other soldiers and an officer on night patrol of the town of Cornay, which was held by many machine- gun posts. The party worked from 11 o'clock at night till next morning in clearing buildings and dugouts of the enemy, capturing 65 prisoners and two machine-guns. With six others, Corporal Phelan volunteered and entered a dugout, where 23 prisoners were captured. He was wounded while leaving the town, but he refused to go to the aid station until the prisoners had been delivered at brigade headquarters.

• 
  General Orders No. 44, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: New York, New York

Phelps, Glen

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Glen Phelps, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 5th Balloon Company, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Villers-sur-Marne, France, July 15 and August 7, 1918, and Chatel-Chehery, France, October 27 - 30, 1918. While regulating artillery fire from his balloon Lieutenant Phelps, with another observer, was attacked by three enemy planes and forced to jump after his balloon had been set on fire. On four other occasions his balloon was sent down in flames, after being attacked by superior numbers of the enemy, but on each occasion he resumed his work just as soon as another balloon could be obtained.

• 
  General Orders No. 46, War Department, 1919
  

Home Town: St. Louis, Missouri

*Philblad, Harry W.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Harry W. Philblad, Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the Seventy-Eighth Company, Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F., in action at Blanc Mont, France, October 3, 1918. Corporal Philblad advanced alone on two machine-gun nests, which he captured, killing several of the crew with his pistol. Two hours later he again went forward with two other soldiers and, while attacking another machine-gun nest, he was killed by shrapnel.