Van Santvoord Merle-Smith

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Van Santvoord Merle-Smith, Captain, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Villers-sur-Fere, France, on July 28, 1918. Captain Merle-Smith was in command of a company at the crossing of the River Ourcq. Despite the loss of all the other officers in his company, and although wounded himself, he continued to direct his men effectively against the enemy. When his major was killed he succeeded to the command of the battalion and led it forward throughout the day with courage and gallantry.