CASS COUNTY MEN WHO WON THE
DISTINGUISED SERVICE CROSS
EARL WILLIAM PORTER
First Lieutenant J. M. A., Air Service; born October 20, 1888; entered service July 30, 1917; commissioned at Clermont-Ferrand, France, June 1, 1918; stationed at S. M. A., Austin, Texas, and fourteen months in France; battles: Champagne, Verdun, Chateau Thierry and Montdidier; wounded in ankle July 22, 1918, on Verdun sector; wounded in jaw in Montdidier drive August 9, 1918; discharged February 15, 1919; son of Mrs. Amy Porter.
D. S. C. AWARD
Second Lieutenant Earl W. Porter, U. S. Air Service, near Lassigny, on Aug. 9, 1918. Lieutenant Porter with Lieut. Chas. Raymond Blake, pilot, while on a reconnoissance expedition at low altitude far beyond the enemy lines was attacked by five German battle planes. Although wounded at the beginning of the combat, Lieutenant Porter shot down one of the enemy planes and by cool and courageous operation of his guns, while his pilot skillfully maneouvered the plane, fought off the others and made possible a safe return to friendly territory.
By Captain P. C. Beal, C. O. American Detachment, Aviation Francaise.
From Commander-in-Chief General Pershing, in name of President Wilson.
CROIX DE GUERRE AWARD
Sous-Lieutenant Earl W. Porter, Observaeur-Bombadier. For cool courageous action in engagement with six enemy planes on July 22, Conflans. When attacked by the enemy in superior numbers, Lieut. Porter, with extreme coolness and sangfroid under fire of the six enemy planes, maintained his fire until one of the enemy planes was sent down in flames and two others were forced out of the combat, permitting the return to our lines. Premier citation.
Captain Delavergne, Commandant, Escadre 12.
ALT C. WILKEN
Private, Co. M, 168th Infantry, 42nd Division; born January 9, 1898; entered service April 18, 1917; eighteen months in France and Germany; battles: Lorraine, Champagne, Chateau Thierry, St. Mihiel and Argonne-Meuse; wounded in right hand and arm at Sergy, July 28, 1918; discharged May 17, 1919; son of Mr. and Mrs. J. O. Wilken.
D. S. C. AWARD
Private Alt C. Wilken, Company M, 168th Infantry, 42nd Division, distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against the armed enemy of the United States at Sergy, France, July 28, 1918, and in recognition of his gallant conduct I have awarded him in the name of the President the Distinguished Service Cross.
August 28, 1918. (Signed) John J. Pershing.
CROIX DE GUERRE AWARD
Private Alt C. Wilken, Co. M, 168th Infantry, 42nd Division. "In spite of three wounds he continued to fire his automatic rifle."
At General Headquarters, (Signed) Petain.
The Marshal of France,
Commander of the French Armies of the East.
Transcribed from the
Cass County in the World War 1917-1918-1919,
compiled and published by J. C. Beard, Atlantic, Iowa, 1919, pp. 17.
