Blake Lightner

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Blake Lightner, Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action at Courmont, France, July 29 – 31, 1918, and near Montblainville, France, and September 27, 1918 to October 3, 1918. Lieutenant Lightner voluntarily established an advance observation post at Courmont. During his work, he was knocked down by the concussion of an exploding shell but remained at his post. Throughout the action in the Argonne he repeatedly exposed himself while leading his men. At Montblainville, although wounded by a shell splinter, he continued in action and succeeded in putting into operation German machine guns against the enemy, greatly assisting in repulsing their counterattack. He refused to be evacuated until ordered to the rear.