Robert E. Purcell
Home Town: Miles City, MT
General Orders No. No. 22, W.D., 1929
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Robert E. Purcell, Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action at Gesnes, France, September 29, 1918. Early in the engagement on September 29, 1918, Corporal Purcell was wounded by shrapnel in the left shoulder. Despite his wounds he refused to be evacuated and continued in action with his organization until it was relieved about 15 hours later, after which he was sent to the hospital. His courage and devotion to duty were a great inspiration to the members of his organization.
