_Katz, Philip C., Sergeant_, Co. C, 363rd Infantry, 91st Division,
San Francisco, Cal.—Eclis-fontaine, France, Sept. 26, 1918. After his
company had withdrawn for a distance of 200 yards on a line with the
units on its flanks, Sergeant Katz learned that one of his comrades had
been left wounded in an exposed position at the point from which the
withdrawal had taken place. Voluntarily crossing an area swept by heavy
machine-gun fire, he advanced to where the wounded soldier lay and
carried him to a place of safety.
* * * * *
_Miller, Oscar F., Major_, 361st Infantry, 91st Division, Los Angeles,
Cal.—Gesnes, France, Sept. 28, 1918. After two days of intense physical
and mental strain, during which Major Miller had led his battalion
in the front line of the advance through the forest of Argonne, the
enemy was met in a prepared position south of Gesnes. Though almost
exhausted, he energetically reorganized his battalion and ordered an
attack. Upon reaching open ground, the advancing line began to waver
in the face of machine-gun fire from the front and flanks, and direct
artillery fire. Personally leading his command group forward between
his front line companies, Major Miller inspired his men by his personal
courage; and they again pressed on toward the hostile position. As
this officer led the renewed attack he was shot in the right leg, but
he nevertheless staggered forward at the head of his command. Soon
afterward he was again shot in the right arm, but he continued the
charge, personally cheering his troops on through the heavy machine-gun
fire. Just before the objective was reached he received a wound in the
abdomen which forced him to the ground, but he continued to urge his
men on, telling them to push on to the next ridge and leave him where
he lay. He died from his wounds a few days later.
* * * * *
_Seibert, Lloyd M., Sergeant_, Co. F., 364th Infantry, 91st Division,
Salinas, Cal.—Epinonville, France, Sept. 26, 1918. Suffering from
illness, Sergeant Seibert remained with his platoon and led his
men with the highest courage and leadership under heavy shell and
machine-gun fire. With two other soldiers he charged a machine-gun
emplacement in advance of their company, he himself killing one of the
enemy with a shotgun and captured two others. In this encounter he was
wounded, but he nevertheless continued in action; and when a withdrawal
was ordered he returned with the last unit, assisting a wounded
comrade. Later in the evening he volunteered and carried in wounded
until he fainted from exhaustion.
* * * * *
_West, Chester H., First Sergeant_, Co. D, 363rd Infantry, 91st
Division, Idaho, Falls, Idaho.—Bois de Cheppy, France, Sept. 26, 1918.
While making his way through a thick fog with his automatic-rifle
section, his advance was halted by direct and unusual machine-gun
fire from two guns. Without aid he at once dashed through the fire,
and attacking the nest killed two of the gunners, one of whom was an
officer. This prompt and decisive hand-to-hand encounter on his part
enabled his company to advance further without the loss of a man.