CARL LEE's DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS

Carl Lee, private, Company d, 117th Infantry For extraordinary heroism in action near Molain, France, October 17, 1918. Having become separated from their company in a smoke barrage, Pvt Lee and Corpl Henry W. Cardwell found themselves face to face with a party of the enemy. Pvt Lee brought his automatic rifle to his shoulder and attempted to fire, but the gun was jammed and would not shoot.

Seeing themselves covered by the gun, and not knowing its condition, the Germans threw up their hands, and while Pvt Lee kept the rifle at his shoulder, Corpl Cardwell rounded up the Germans and disarmed them. Their ruse resulted in the capture of 12 of the enemy, comprising three machine gun crews.

Residence at enlistment: Osage, Iowa

 

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-Source: Official Register, State of Iowa 1921-1922, Twenty-Ninth Number, Military Decorations of Iowans in the World War, pg 36620

-Transcribed by Sharyl Ferrall, Aug. 2004

-Webization by Kermit Kittleson, Aug. 2004