Will R. Manier, Jr.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Will R. Manier, Jr., Captain, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action in the Claires- Chenes Woods, October 21, 1918. Captain Manier, brigade liaison officer, was at the command post of the assaulting battalion when word was received that the enemy had penetrated our line and was closing in on the command post. No reserves being available, Captain Manier assisted in hastily organizing a force of runners, a signalman and others, and himself taking a rifle, led these men under heavy machine-gun and rifle fire in a counterattack on the advancing enemy. He succeeded in stopping the enemy and holding the position until the line was reestablished. As a result of his courage and initiative a large number of the enemy were captured and many killed or wounded, and the success of future operations assured.