George J. Harssell

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to George J. Harssell, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Verdun, France, October 12, 1918. By encouraging his comrades and rendering valuable aid to the wounded, Private Harssell succeeded greatly in retaining the morale of those about him, during an almost continued rain of shells. Even after being severely wounded by shrapnel, he attempted to retain the spirit by singing. After being relieved to a hospital he died.