_Kaufman, Benjamin, First Sergeant_, Co. K, 308th Infantry, 77th
Division, Brooklyn, N. Y.—Forest d’Argonne, France, Oct. 4, 1918. He
took out a patrol for the purpose of attacking an enemy machine gun
which had checked the advance of his company. Before reaching the
gun he became separated from his patrol, and a machine-gun bullet
shattered his right arm. Without hesitation he advanced on the gun
alone, throwing grenades with his left hand and charging with an empty
pistol, taking one prisoner and scattering the crew, bringing the gun
and prisoner back to the first-aid station.
* * * * *
_McMurtry, George G., Captain_, 308th Infantry, 77th Division, New
York City.—Forest d’Argonne, France, Oct. 2-8, 1918. Captain McMurtry
commanded a battalion which was cut off and surrounded by the enemy;
and, although wounded in the knee by shrapnel on Oct. 4th and suffering
great pain, he continued throughout the entire period to encourage his
officers and men with a resistless optimism that contributed largely
toward preventing panic and disorder among the troops who, without
food, were cut off from communication with our lines. On Oct. 4th,
during a heavy barrage, he personally directed and supervised the
moving of the wounded to shelter before himself seeking shelter. On
Oct. 6th, he was again wounded in the shoulder by a German grenade,
but continued personally to organize and direct the defense against
the German attack on the position until the attack was defeated. He
continued to direct and command his troops, refusing relief, and after
assistance arrived personally led his men out of the position before
permitting himself to be taken to the hospital on Oct. 8th. During this
period the successful defense of the position was due largely to his
efforts.
* * * * *
_Miles, L. Wardlaw, Captain_, 308th Infantry, 77th Division, Princeton,
N. J.—Révillon, France, Sept. 14, 1918. Captain Miles volunteered to
lead his company in a hazardous attack on a commanding trench position
near the Aisne Canal, which other troops had previously attempted
to take without success. His company immediately met with intense
machine-gun fire, against which it had no artillery assistance, but
Captain Miles preceded the first wave and assisted in cutting a passage
through the enemy’s wire entanglements. In so doing he was wounded five
times by machine-gun bullets, both legs and one arm being fractured,
whereupon he ordered himself placed on a stretcher and had himself
carried forward to the enemy trench in order that he might encourage
and direct his company, which by this time had suffered numerous
casualties. Under the inspiration of this officer’s indomitable spirit
his men held the hostile position and consolidated the front line
after an action lasting two hours, at the conclusion of which Captain
Miles was carried to the aid station against his will.
* * * * *
_Peck, Archie A., Private_, Co. A, 307th Infantry, 77th Division,
Hornell, N. Y.—Forest d’Argonne, France, Oct. 6, 1918. While engaged
with two other soldiers on patrol duty he and his comrades were
subjected to the direct fire of an enemy machine gun, at which time
both his companions were wounded. Returning to his company, he obtained
another soldier to accompany him to assist in bringing in the wounded
men. His assistant was killed in the exploit, but he continued on,
twice returning, and safely bringing in both men, being under terrific
machine-gun fire during the entire journey.
* * * * *
_Smith, Frederick E., Lieutenant Colonel_, 308th Infantry, 77th
Division, Portland, Ore.—Binarville, France, Sept. 28, 1918. When
communication from the forward regimental post of command to the
battalion leading the advance had been interrupted temporarily by the
infiltration of small parties of the enemy armed with machine guns,
Lieut. Col. Smith personally led a party of two other officers and
ten soldiers, and went forward to re-establish runner posts and carry
ammunition to the front line. The guide became confused and the party
strayed to the left flank beyond the outposts of supporting troops,
suddenly coming under fire from a group of enemy machine guns only
fifty yards away. Shouting to the other members of his party to take
cover, this officer, in disregard of his own danger, drew his pistol
and opened fire on the German gun crew. About this time he fell,
severely wounded in the side; but, regaining his footing, he continued
to fire on the enemy until most of the men in his party were out of
danger. Refusing first-aid treatment, he then made his way in plain
view of the enemy to a hand grenade dump and returned under continued
heavy machine-gun fire for the purpose of making another attack on
the enemy emplacements. As he was attempting to ascertain the exact
location of the nearest nest, he again fell, mortally wounded.
* * * * *
_Whittlesey, Charles W., Lieutenant Colonel_, 308th Infantry, 77th
Division, Pittsfield, Mass.—Binarville, in the Forest d’ Argonne,
France, Oct. 2-7, 1918. Although cut off for five days from the
remainder of his division, Major Whittlesey maintained his position
which he had reached under orders received for an advance; and held his
command, consisting originally of 463 officers and men of the 308th
Infantry and of Company K of the 307th Infantry together, in the face
of superior numbers of the enemy during the five days. Major Whittlesey
and his command were thus cut off, and no rations or other supplies
reached him, in spite of determined efforts which were made by his
division. On the fourth day Major Whittlesey received from the enemy
a written proposition to surrender, which he treated with contempt,
although he was at that time out of rations and had suffered a loss
of about 50 percent. in killed and wounded of his command and was
surrounded by the enemy.