Willard I. Emerson

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Willard I. Emerson, Captain, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Grand Pre, France, November 1, 1918. Captain (then Lieutenant) Emerson displayed remarkable gallantry and leadership during the fighting north of Grand Pre, when the line of his regiment was the pivot for the advance of the army. He personally led his company around machine-gun nests, frequently going out with selected patrols for the purpose of bombing out enemy machine gunners. When the commanding officer of the company on his left was incapacitated, Captain Emerson at once took command of the company and maneuvered it with his own. By this example in undergoing hardships during the advance he sustained the morale of his men and inspired them to valiant combat.