Edward D. Ritchie

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Edward D. Ritchie, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near St. Thibaut, France, August 10, 1918. While on an outpost near the Vesle River, Private Ritchie volunteered to accompany Corporal John S. Weimer in rescuing a wounded soldier who had been left by members of a patrol in a shell hole some distance to the front. Under fire from machine guns and snipers, Private Ritchie and Corporal Weimer proceeded to the shell hole and found the wounded man, who was unable to walk. Suggesting that the three of them in a group would make a more conspicuous target for the enemy, Private Ritchie offered to run ahead to draw the enemy fire, while his comrade assisted the wounded man. He made his way back to shelter under continuous machine-gun and sniper fire, while Corporal Weimer carried the wounded soldier to safety.