William S. Landes

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William S. Landes, First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action north of Samagneux, France, October 11 – 25, 1918. Lieutenant Landes, acting as regimental munitions officer, was wounded early in the action but remained on duty for two weeks supervising the distribution of ammunition to the front line battalions. Through his untiring efforts and utter disregard of personal danger under heavy shell fire an adequate supply of ammunition to the battalions in the line was constantly maintained. After the attack on the Bois d’Etrayes, October 24, when liaison with the advance battalion had been broken by the intense bombardment, this officer volunteered to proceed to the position occupied by this battalion and returned with valuable information as to the location of the front line.