SMITH, Raymond R.

SMITH

Posted By: S. Ferrall (email)
Date: 8/3/2004 at 06:25:10

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
Raymond R. Smith, corporal, Company C, 11th Machine Gun Batallion. For extraordinary heroism in action northeast of Cunel, France, October 12, 1918. During a heavy bombardment after a shell had struck his machine gun, knocking it and his squad completely out of action, Corporal Smith assembled three men from another squad and obtaining another gun again took up position on the line and remained throughout the action, as the front was at that time thinly held and in constant danger of counterattack. The prompt initiative and splendid courage on the part of this soldier not only inspired and encouraged his men, but aided materially in the success of the action.

Residence at enlistment: 227 Harrison Avenue, Burlington, Iowa

-source: Official Register, State of Iowa 1921-1922, Twenty-Ninth Number, Military Decorations of Iowans in the World War, pg. 371

-transcribed by Sharyl Ferrall