Carl Heath

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Carl Heath, Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action in crossing the Meuse River, France, November 9 – 10, 1918. Corporal Heath volunteered as a member of a patrol which was to cross the Meuse River by swimming at a point known to be heavily occupied by enemy detachments, on the night of November 9 – 10, to gain information of the enemy and to capture prisoners. When the members of the patrol reached the middle of the river, they were discovered by the enemy who immediately opened a severe fire upon them using artillery, machine guns, and hand grenades. The heavy fire compelled all but six men to return. With utter disregard for his own personal safety Corporal Heath, one of the remaining members, continued on the mission, succeeded in crossing the river, and immediately thereafter made the supreme sacrifice.