Robert A. Griffin

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Robert A. Griffin, Captain, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Epinonville, France, September 26 – 29, 1918. His company having suddenly become trapped in the smoke and fog under heavy enemy artillery fire, Captain Griffin displayed notable coolness in getting his men to cover in a trench near by, being the last to take shelter, though he was knocked down by bursting shell in so doing. As soon as the fire abated he quickly re-disposed his men and led them toward the enemy. On the next afternoon, during the attack on Epinonville, he led eleven soldiers in a successful charge on an enemy machine-gun nest. Later he personally assisted in carrying in wounded men of his company under heavy machine-gun fire. On the afternoon of September 29 Captain Griffin was severely wounded while on a patrol, but he continued on under heavy machine-gun and artillery fire, and successfully accomplished his mission.