the gunner. His gallant example to his troops was
an important factor in the success of the attack.
Home address, A. Platner, father, Ellis, Kan.

PLATT, CHARLES E Corporal

Deceased. 45th Company, 5th Regiment, U. S.
M. C. Killed in action at Chateau-Thierry, France,
June 6, 1918. He gave the supreme proof of that
extraordinary heroism which will serve as an exam-
ple to hitherto untried troops. Next of kin, Mrs.
Lettie Platt, mother, 401 North Twenty-fourth
Street, Lafayette, Ind.

PLATT, JONAS HENRY . . First Lieutenant
5th Regiment, U. S. M. C. For extraordinary
heroism in action near the Bois de Belleau, Chateau-
Thierry, France, June 6, 1918. Seriously wounded
in the leg early in the engagement, he continued to
direct the operations not only of his platoon but of
another. He charged and drove off the crew of an
enemy machine-gun, supervised the disposition and
digging in of a large part of his company, and yielded
command only when exhausted from pain and loss
of blood. Home address, Mrs. Katherine Platt,
mother, 655 Jefferson Avenue, Brooklyn, N.Y.

PLATTEN, MICHAEL A Cook

Battery B, 121st Field Artillery. For extraordin-
ary heroism in action near Chery-Chartreuve.
France, August 14, 1918. When the gun crews ol
the platoons in the woods were forced to withdraw
on account of the intense enemy shelling, a wounded
man was left behind. Noticing this, C9ok Flatten
rushed into the woods despite the continued shell-
ing and brought the man to safety. Home address,
Joseph M. Flatten, father, 1047 Velp Avenue,
Green Bay. Wis.

PLAUMAN, HERMAN . Private (First Class)
Company H, 128th Infantry. For extraordinary
heroism in action near St. Gilles, France, August 3,
1918. After having just returned from a hazardous
trip through heavy shell fire, Private Plauman vol-
unteered and carried a message to his company com-
mander. As he was about to complete his mission
the company commander was mortally wounded by
a shell. After administering first aid he reported
back to his battalion commander, who, upon notic-
ing that one of the runner's fingers was missing,
ordered him to the rear for treatment. Home ad-
dress, Herman Plauman, Sr., father, 158 Melrose
Avenue, Detroit, Mich.

PLEMMONS, RUSSELL L. . . . Corporal
Company L, 117th Infantry. For extraordinary
heroism in action near Ponchaux, France, October
7, 1918. After seeing two other soldiers killed while
attemping to carry atuomatic-rifle ammunition
through a heavy artillery and machine-gun barrage,
Corporal Plemmons volunteered for this dangerous
mission and successfully accomplished it. Home
address, Baxter Plemmons, father, Lenoir City,
Tenn.

PLUMLEY, RICHARD G. . . . Captain
39th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in
in action near the Bois de Septsarges, France,
September 27, to October 10, 1918. On duty as
regimental adjutant, Captain Plumley felt a place
of safety, and g9ing forward under heavy fire
assisted in reforming the assault battalion, which
had lost most its officers and was becoming dis-
organized. During the following days he repeatedly



DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS



317



crossed areas which had been subjected to heavy
gas bombardments, and as a result became almost
blind and greatly weakened by gas poisoning. He
refused to be evacuated, however, and remained on
duty throughout the night, rendering valuable as-
sistance to the regimental commander, who had just
taken command. Home address, A. N. Phillips,
uncle, Glenbrook. Conn.

PLUMMER, CHARLES W. . Second Lieutenant
Deceased. 101st Field Artillery, Observer. John
W. Jordan, second Lieutenant, 7th Field Artillery,
observer; Roger W. Hitchcock, second lieutenant,
pilot; James S. D. Burns, deceased, second lieuten-
ant, 165th Infantry, observer; Joel H. McClendon,
deceased, first lieutenant, pilot; Louis G. Bernhei-
mer, first lieutenant, pilot; Philip R. Babcock, first
lieutenant, pilot; and Joseph A. Palmer, second
lieutenant, 15th Field Artillery, observer. All of
these men were attached to the 88th Aero Squad-
ron, Air Service. For extraordinary heroism in ac-
tion near Fismes, France, August 11, 1918. Under
the protection of three pursuit planes, each carrying
a pilot and an observer, Lieutenants Bernheimer
and Jordan, in charge of a photo plane, carried out
successfully a hazardous photographic mission over
the enemy's lines to the River Aisne. The four
American ships were attacked by 12 enemy battle
planes. Lieutenant Bernheimer, by coolly and
skillfully maneuvering his ship, and Lieutenant
Jordan, by accurate operation of his machine-gun,
in spite of wounds in the shoulder and leg, aided ma-
terially in the victory which came to the American
ships, and returned safely with 36 valuable photo-
graphs. The pursuit plane operated by Lieutenants
Hitchcock and Burns was disabled while these two
officers were fighting effectively. Lieutenant Burns
was mortally wounded and his body jammed the
controls. After a headlong fall of 2,500 meters,
Lieutenant Hitchcock succeeded in regaining con-
trol of this plane and piloted it back to his airdrome.
Lieutenants McClendon and Plummer were shot
down and killed after a vigorous combat with five of
the enemy's planes. Lieutenants Babcock and Pal-
mer, by gallant and skillful fighting, aided in driving
off the German planes and were materially responsi-
ble for the successful execution of the photographic
mission. Home address, Portsmouth, Mass.

PLUMMER, GEORGE Private

Company L, 9th Infantry. For extraordinary
heroism in action south of Soissons, France, July
18-25, 1918. He distinguished himself by volun-
teering three times to carry messages through heavy
shell fire after all runners had been killed or wound-
ed. Home address, Louis Plummer, father, Rifle,
Col.



PLUSH, LEWIS C. . . . First Lieutenant
Air Service, 49th Aero Squadron. For extraor-
<iinary heroism in action near Romagne, France,
October 4, 1918. Lieutenant Plush was a member
of a patrol of seven machines which attacked 17 en-
emy Fokkers. After shooting down one of the en-
emy, this officer returned to the fight and shot down
another. Home address, William Plush, father, 440
East Phillips Boulevard, Pomona, Cal.

POILLON, JOHN J Corporal

Company C, 311th Machine-Gun Battalion. For
extraordinary heroism in action near Montfaucon,
France, September 29, 1918. Although engaged as
company clerk, when the platoon to which he was
attached was required to advance over a heavily
shelled territory, Corporal Poillon volunteered and
carried messages from his company commander to
the platoon, the journey being made under the most
hazardous conditions and under severest shell fire.
Home address, Mrs. Henrietta Poillon, mother, 465
West 157th Street, New York City.



POKORNY, ROBERT . Private (First Class)
Headquarters Company, 4th Infantry. For ex-
traordinary heroism in action near Roncheres,
France, July 28, 1918. Private Pokorny volun-
teered and went forward to recover the trail of a
37-mm. gun. Despite the great danger of heavy ma-
chine-gun fire, he su9ceeded in recovering and drag-
ging it back to our lines. Home address, Mrs. An-
tonio Pokorny, mother, 2453 South Sawyer Avenue,
Chicago, 111.

POLITTE, MELVIN J Corporal

Headquarters Company, 4th Infantry. For ex-
traordinary heroism in action near Grand Ballois
Farm, France, July 15, 1918. After seeing many of
his comrades killed or wounded in attempting the
same mission. Corporal Politte went forward under
heavy shell and gas bombardment and repaired tel-
ephone lines. Home address, Lexia J. Politte,
father, Old Mines, Mo.

POLLARD, RUSSELL Corporal

Company H, 365th Infantry. For extraordinary
heroism in action near Bois Frehaut, France, No-
vember 10, 1918. During the assault on Bois Fre-
haut, Corporal Pollard, a rifle grenadier, conducted
his squad skillfully in firing on hostile machine-guns
until his rifle was broken. He then used his wire-
cutter with speed and skill under heavy shell and
machine-gun fire, and although wounded in his right
arm he continued to cut the wire with his left hand,
and assisted his men in getting through it until
ordered to the dressing station a second time by his
company commander. Home address, Caroline
Pollard, mother, Weatherford, Texas.

POLLEY, BRITTON . . First Lieutenant
Observer, Air Service. For extraordinary hero-
ism in action near Romagne, France, October 9,
1918. Lieutenant Policy was assigned to a mission
to find line troops of the division to which his squad-
ron was attached. Weather conditions made flying
almost impossible, a second plane, assigned to the
mission returning on that account. Flying at an
altitude of 25 meters over enemy lines, he encoun-
tered and defeated three enemy patrols, gathering
and delivering to his division headquarters most val-
uable information. Home address, J. W. E. Policy,
father, 440 East 166th Street, New York City.

POLLEY, JOHN R Private

Company A, 1 10th Engineers. For extraordinary
heroism in action near Cheppy, France, September
26, 1918. When the infantry attack was held up by
direct fire from an enemy concrete machine-gun
emplacement, Private Policy, who was a member of
a wire-cutting detail, charged the emplacement
with one infantry soldier, capturing two guns and
two prisoners and enabling the advance to continue.
Home address, Mrs. Mannie J. Policy, mother, 307
Washington Avenue, Wellington, Kan.

POLLINGER, FRANK Private

Company G, 308th Infantry. For extraordinary
heroism in action near Charlevaux, France, October
3-7, 1918. During the period of four days, when his
battalion was surrounded by the enemy and after
his squad leader had been wounded, Private Pollin-
ger took C9mmand of the squad, although he himself
was suffering from a wound received four days pre-
vious. His indomitable courage and perseverance
upheld the spirit and morale of his men under such
trying circumstances, and he continued to direct
their movements until forced out of action by a sec-
ond wound. Home address, Mabel V. Pollinger,
wife, 29 Endicott Street. Worcester, Mass.

PONDER, WILLIAM THOMAS First Lieutenant

Aviation Section, 103d Aero Pursuit Squadron.

For extraordinary heroism in action near Fontaines,

France, October 23, 1918. Having been separated



318



HEROES ALL



from his patrol, Lieutenant Ponder observed and
went to the assistance of an allied plane which was
being attacked by 30 of the enemy. Lieutenant
Ponder destroyed one enemy plane and so demoral-
ized the remaining that both he and his comrade
were able to return to their lines. Home address,
W. P. Ponder, father, Mangum, Okla.

POORE, BENJAMIN A. . Brigadier General
7th Infantry Brigade. For repeated acts of ex-
traordinary heroism at Bois de Septsarges, France,
September 27, and at Bois du Fays, France, October
11, 1918. At Bois de Septsarges on September 27,
General Poore personally reformed his disorganized
troops, who were falling back through lack of com-
mand and because of severe casualties. Under
heavy fire, he led them to the lines, and presented
an unbroken front to the enemy. Again on October
11, in the region of Bois du Fays, he gathered to-
gether troops who were taking refuge from hostile
fire, and turned them over to the support com-
mander. Home address, Mrs. B. A. Poore, 126
East Moorehead Street, Charlotte, N. C.

POPE, OLLIE Private

Company C, 120th Infantry. For extraordinary
heroism in action between St. Quentin and Cam-
brai, France, October 9, 1918. He was wounded in
action between St. Quentin and Cambrai, France,
and after having his wounds dressed, he was unable
to locate his company. He returned, however, to
the front line, and fought throughout the day, locat-
ing and returning to his own organization after dark.
Home address, Mrs. Martha Pope, mother, 1101
Worth Street, Durham, N. C.

POPE, THOMAS A Corporal

Company E, 131st Infantry. For extraordinary
heroism in action at Hamel, Belgium, July 4, 1918.
He rushed a hostile machine-gun single-handed,
bayoneted several of the crew, and, standing astride
the gun, kept the remainder of the detachment at
bay until the arrival of reenf orcements, which killed
or captured the rest of the enemy. Home address,
J. J. Pope, brother, 6946 Overhill Avenue, Chicago,

POPLIN, DANIEL C Private

Deceased. Company H, 4th Infantry. For ex-
traordinary heroism in action near Roncheras,
France, July 29, 1918. Private Poplin repeatedly
carried messages between his own and another com-
pany across an open field swept by heavy machine-
gun and sniper fire and was killed while on one of
these missions. Next of kin, Mrs. Mary Poplin,
mother, 920 North Caldwell Street, Charlotte, N. C.

PORTER, CHARLES PULLMAN . . .

. f . . . . Second Lieutenant
Pilot, Air Service, 147th Aero Squadron. For ex-
traordinary heroism in action in the region of
Epieds, France, July 16, 1918. While on patrol he
observed two enemy planes (Fokker type) about
1,000 meters above him. He immediately maneu-
vered to obtain height and a position for attack.
The enemy turned and Lieutenant Porter gave
chase and attacked from below, destroying one and
forcing the other to retire. A bronze oak leaf, for
extraordinary heroism in action in the region of
Foret de Fere, France, July 24, 1918. While lead-
ing a patrol he attacked an enemy formation of 12
planes (Fokker type). He engaged one enemy and
sent it down out of control. One of his guns jammed
and while he was repairing the gun two of the enemy
planes got behind him. Unable to repair the gun
and only to fire a single shot, he turned to attack,
destroying a second plane, and remained in the
fight until the enemy retired. Home address,
Charles S. Porter, father, 121-131 West Twenty-
seventh Street, New York City.



PORTER, CHAUNCEY W Bugler

Company B, 355th Infantry. For extraordinary
heroism in action north of Flirey, France, Septem-
ber 12, 1918. He charged a machine-gun alone with
an automatic pistol, killed one man, captured an-
other, and drove the remainder of the enemy pla-
toon back along their trench, thereby enabling his
platoon to advance. Home address, Edwin F. Por-
ter, father, Chambers, Neb.

PORTER, CLARENCE R Private

Company D, 119th Infantry. For extraordinary
heroism in action near Bellicourt, France, Septem-
ber 29, 1918. While his company was making an
attack on the Hindenburg line, he continued a cov-
ering fire with his Lewis gun. In spite of two-
wounds from which he was suffering, he remained
with his gun until his comrades had succeeded in
crossing the line. Home address, D. R. Porter,
father, Easley, S. C.

PORTER, EARL W. . . . Second Lieutenant
Observer, 7th Aviation Instruction Center, Air
Service. For extraordinary heroism in action near
Lassigny, France, August 9, 1918. He, with First
Lieutenant Charles Raymond Blake, pilot, while on
a reconnaissance expedition at a low altitude and
beyond the enemy lines, was attacked by five Ger-
man battle planes. Although wounded at the be-
ginning of the combat, he shot down one of the en-
emy machines and by cool and courageous opera-
tion of his gun, while his pilot skillfully maneu-
vered the plane, fought off the others and made pos-
sible a safe return to friendly territory. Home ad-
dress, Mrs. Amy Porter, 1008 Poplar Street,
Atlantic, Iowa.

PORTER, ERNEST WASHINGTON . Private
Deceased. 23d Company, 6th Machine-Gun Bat-
talion, U. S. M. C. For extraordinary heroism in
action near Thiaucourt, France, September 15, 1918.
While taking cover with the remainder of his gun
crew from a heavy artillery barrage, Private Porter
answered a call for volunteers to combat an enemy
aeroplane. Upon reaching his gun he was instantly
killed by an aerial bomb. Next of kin, Ernest Por-
ter, father, 671 Summer Avenue, Newark, N. J.

PORTER, KENNETH L. . Second Lieutenant
Air Service, 147th Aero Squadron. For extraor-
dinary heroism in action near Chateau-Thierry,
France, July 2, 1918. Lieutenant Porter, with four
other pilots, attacked 12 enemy aircraft (type
Pfalz), flying in two groups well within the enemy
lines. As soon as the enemy planes were sighted,
Lieutenant Porter maneuvered to get between them
and the sun and with great difficulty gained the ad-
vantage. While three of the other American officers
dived on the lower formation Lieutenant Porter and
Second Lieutenant John H. Stevens engaged the
upper formation in a bold and brilliant combat, two
planes of which they crashed to the earth. Home
address, Mrs. Harriet Porter, mother, 105 Green
Street, Dowagiac, Mich.

PORTER, RAY E Captain

^ 34th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in ac-
tion near Rembercourt, France, November 1-2,
1918. Captain Porter led his company in a suc-
cessful assault on a ridge of high ground, taking sev-
eral strong points and machine-gun nests and nu-
merous prisoners. He had this position for 30 hours
without food or water against two enemy counter-
attacks, until he was relieved. Home address, Mrs.
Hattie E. Porter, mother, Fordyce, Ark.

PORTER, VINCENT C Corporal

Company C, 146th Infantry . For extraordinary
heroism in action near Montfaucon, France, Sep-
tember 26 to October 1, 1918. Though he was act-
ing as company clerk, throughout the drive west of



DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS



the Meuse River he volunteered for service as a
runner and also took charge of the delivery of ra-
tions under constant shell fire in a highly exposed
position. He performed valuable service in giving
first aid to wounded, and at one time carried a
wounded soldier much heavier than himself up a hill
through shell and machine-gun fire. Home address,
Edgar C. Porter, 613 Wayne Avenue, Ellwood City,
Pa.

POSSER, FREDERICK .... Corporal
Machine-Gun Company, 107th Infantry. For
extraordinary heroism in action near Ronssoy,
France, September 29, 1918. During the thick of
the fighting against the Hindenburg line, Corporal
Posser voluntarily went forward to locate friendly
troops and, in doing so, he was obliged to pass be-
tween two strongly fortified enemy nests, from
which a deadly fire was pouring. Despite this ob-
stacle, he communicated with the infantry and re-
turned to his position. Home address, Mrs. Fred-
erick Posser, 383 First Avenue, New York City.

POSSIE, LESTER . . . Supply Sergeant

Company M, 370th Infantry. For extraordinary
heroism in action at Ferme de la Riviere, France,
October 5, 1918. A messenger having been wounded
by an enemy sniper in the open between the line,
Sergeant Fossie immediately went to his rescue and
brought him to the company headquarters, over
ground swept by machine-gun and sniper's fire.
Home address, Mrs. Lillie Fossie, wife, 411 West
Tenth Street, Metropolis, 111.

POSTMOY, ALEXANDER . . . Corporal
Company F, 7th Infantry. For extraordinary
heroism in action near Fossoy, France, July 15,
1918. After being seriously wounded by machine-
gun fire, Corporal Postmoy remained on duty at his
observation post at the river edge, so that the enemy
could not cross unobserved. Home address, Frank
Stneslowsky, friend, 229 Garfield Avenue, Detroit,
Mich.

POSTULA, JOHN I Sergeant

Company H, 132d Infantry. For extraordinary
heroism in action near Bois de Forges, France, Sep-
tember 26, 1918. When the advance of his platoon
was held up by enemy fire, he advanced alone
against a machine-gun nest and killed the crew. He
brought back the enemy machine-gun and the pla-
toon was able to renew the advance. He showed
marked personal bravery under heavy fire. Home
address, Mrs. A. Postula, mother, Goatsville, Mich.

POTTER, ERNEST R. . . First Sergeant

Company D, 39th Infantry. For extraordinary
heroism in action near St. Thibaut, France, August
7, 1918. When all the officers of his company had
become casualties, and the morale of the men was
sinking, Sergeant Potter assumed command and,
after reorganizing the company, successfully led it
in repelling several vicious hostile counterattacks.
During the action he was wounded in the shoulder,
but he refused to go to the rear until he was ordered
to do so by the officer sent to relieve him. Home ad-
dress, Mrs. Anna Wyant, sister, Tarentum, Pa.

POTTER, WALTER Private

Company L, 131st Infantry. For extraordinary
heroism in action at Bois de Harville, France, No-
vember 10, 1918. He volunteered and crawled out
in the face of heavy enemy fire to attack a machine-
gun nest. He killed the four members of the enemy
crew, inspiring the men serving with him by his ex-
ample of heroism. Home address, Miss Lena Pot-
ter, Dayton, Tenn.

POTTER, WILLIAM CLARKSON . .

First Lieutenant

20th Aero Squadron. For extraordinary heroism



in action near Dun-sur-Meuse, France, September
26, 1918. A formation of eight Liberty bombing
planes, while on a daylight bombing mission on
Dun-sur-Meuse, was attacked by a force of enemy
planes three times its number. Lieutenant Potter
saw that the observer's guns of the leading machine
were inactive, while its pilot exerted great effort to
control his machine. Under conditions demanding
greatest courage and determination Lieutenant Pot-
ter flew in close to the leader so as to protect him
from the rear. This position he held under ever-
increasing enemy attack, and in face of the fact that
his leader continued on into Germany. The condi-
tions became more desperate, still Lieutenant Potter
hung on, until his leader was finally able to make a
turn about to the allied lines. On landing it was
found that the observer of the leading machine had
been killed and had fallen and jammed the controls,
making a turn impossible. Lieutenant Potter, by
his courage and disregard of danger, saved the life of
his leader and brought his machine safely back to
our lines. Home address, Mrs. Clarkson Potter,
mother, 15 Avenue du President Wilson, Paris,
France.

POWELL, GEORGE W Sergeant

Company B, lllth Machine-Gun Battalion. For
extraordinary heroism in action near Verdun,
France, October 12, 1918. After all the men of his
command except himself and two other soldiers had
been killed or wounded, Sergeant Powell took
charge of a machine-gun and remained in an iso-
lated position for four days, keeping his men con-
stantly in action and inflicting many casualties on
the enemy. Home address, Mrs. Edward Powell,
15 North Forty-seventh Street, Camden, N. J.

POWELL, JAMES T Corporal

Company C, 112th Infantry. For extraordinary
heroism in action near Fismette, France, August 9,
1918. When a platoon of his company was held up
by sniper fire, be, undaunted, voluntarily crawled
through holes in walls and over roofs, located the
enemy sniper, and killed him, enabling the platoon
to proceed without further loss. Later in the en-
gagement, when reinforcements and ammunition
were needed, he volunteered and swam the Vesle
River under machine-gun fire. Home address, Mrs.
Viola P. Dougherty, friend, 96 Washington Street,
Bradford, Pa.

POWELL, TOM Private

Deceased. Company H, 370th Infantry. For ex-
traordinary heroism in action near Beaume, France,
November 8, 1918. Private Powell repeatedly car-
ried messages under severe enemy fire to the various
units in the vicinity of his company, until he was
killed while in the performance of his duty. Next of
kin, Mrs. Eliza Fountain Powell, mother, R. F. D.
5, Cockran, Ga.

POWELL, WILLIAM H Sergeant

Machine-Gun Company, 120th Infantry. For ex-
traordinary heroism in action near Bellicourt,
France, September 29, 1918. Sergeant Powell, then
a private, took charge of four other soldiers who had
become separated from their platoon and led them
forward toward the objective. Attacking a ma-
chine-gun nest, they captured seven prisoners and a
Maxim gun, which they immediately put into ac-
tion and fired 2,000 rounds at the enemy. They
then continued to advance under heavy artillery and
machine-gun fire. Home address, J. B. Powell,
father, Oxford. N. C.

POWER, LLEWELLYN .... Corporal
Company D, 107th Infantry. For extraordinary
heroism in action near Ronssoy, France, September
29, 1918. During the operations against the Hin-
denburg line, Corporal Power, with four other sol-
diers, left shelter and went forward into an open
field under shell and machine-gun fire and sue-



320



HEROES ALL



ceeded in bandaging and carrying to our lines two
wounded men. Home address, Mrs. Edna May,
sister, 142 Livingstone Street, Forest Hill, N. Y.

POWERS, EDWARD J Private

Machine-Gun Company, 132d Infantry. For ex-
traordinary heroism in action near Bois De Faia,
France, October 9, 1918. After being wounded,
Private Powers received treatment at a 6rst-aid
station, from where he was consigned to the hospi-