William E. Southard

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William E. Southard, Major, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Torcy, France, July 18, 1918. Immediately after an enemy barrage was laid down on his assaulting line, Major Southard pushed forward through the halting ranks and, calling on his men to follow, advanced at double time to the storming of Torcy, attaining his objective. He then organized the defense of the town, supervising the work under hazardous artillery, machine-gun, and sniper fire. During the attack, Major Southard’s forces suffered heavily from casualties, yet he resolutely held his position for two days, after which he was wounded while leading in assault upon the heights beyond Belleau.