Martin C. Rudolph

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Martin C. Rudolph, Captain, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action at Vieville-en-Haye, France, September 12, 1918, and near Cunel, France, October 21, 1918. When an enemy machine gun suddenly opened fire on his company Captain Rudolph signaled the platoon on his right to execute a flanking movement, while he advanced alone toward the gun. He killed the enemy gunner with his pistol and captured the remainder of the crew. He then ordered the captured gun carried along in the advance, and 200 yards farther used it successfully in silencing another enemy machine gun which was holding up his company. Captain Rudolph was severely wounded by a hand grenade on October 21, but refused to go to the rear, and remained with his company for 12 hours, inspiring his men to hold an important position against a superior force of the enemy.