Clark , Merl E. - War Hero

CLARK

Posted By: S. Ferrall (email)
Date: 7/19/2004 at 05:50:09

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
Merl E. Clark, sergeant, Company C, 168th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action at the Cote-de-Chatillon, east of Grandpre, France, October 16, 1918. After leading his platoon in a resolute assault across open ground swept by machine gun fire, he saw his left held up by a machine gun nest. Taking four soldiers, he flanked the enemy position, killed four Germans and captured two prisoners and two heavy machine guns, his own detachment suffering no casualties. He executed this movement with exceptional skill, daring and promptness, and in less than 10 minutes cleared the ground for the advance of two companies.

Residence at enlistment: 936 Walnut Street, Webster City, Iowa

-source: Official Register, State of Iowa 1921-1922, Twenty-Ninth Number, Military Decorations of Iowans in the World War, pg. 362-363

-transcribed by Sharyl Ferrall