Raymond A. Schroth

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Raymond A. Schroth, First Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Grand Pre, France, November 1, 1918. Sergeant Schroth was directed to lead an attack against an enemy machine-gun nest, which was impeding the progress of his company. Reaching a point within 50 feet of the stronghold, he ordered an attack, and sis Germans near the gun sought to surrender until they saw the strength of his force, now reduced through casualties to two or three men. The enemy was then reinforced by 20 men and launched a severe counterattack, which forced Sergeant Schroth to abandon his attack. After ordering his men to safety, he remained at his post alone, combating against the superior forces until he drove a prisoner back to our lines at the point of his empty pistol. Despite his desire to provide safety for his patrol he was the only survivor to return from the mission.