Emil O. Klaviter

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Emil O. Klaviter, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Gesnes, France, September 29, 1918. Private Klaviter, a runner and signalman, while carrying a message to the attacking battalion, encountered an enemy machine-gun nest. Single-handed he killed two of the German machine-gunners and captured six others, together with their gun, ammunition, and belts. The prisoners were then turned over to some other soldiers and forced to carry a wounded officer to the rear, while Private Klaviter continued on his mission.