William F. Smith

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William F. Smith, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Fismette, France, August 10, 1918. When the attack of his company was held up by fire from a hostile strong point, Private Smith, with two other men, voluntarily cut their way through enemy wire entanglements under heavy fire, reached their objective, and engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. During the latter action six of the enemy were killed and the attacking line was enabled to advance to the new position. Private Smith was mortally wounded, his heroic action costing him his life.