Joe Britton

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Joe Britton, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action at Varennes, France, September 26, 1918. Sergeant Britton was in command of a platoon which became separated from the rest of the company in a heavy fog. Entering Varennes in advance of any other troops, Sergeant Britton, with his command occupied the southern edge of the town in the face of heavy machine-gun fire and took 24 prisoners. When he saw that the odds were hopelessly against him he successfully withdrew, with only one casualty. Later, after being gassed, he manifested exceptional courage and endurance by remaining on duty with his company and advancing in the attack.