Rutherford H. Spessard

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Rutherford H. Spessard, Major, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Ville-Savoye, France, August 6, and near Bois-de-Fays, France, October 2, 1918. During the crossing of the Vesle River Major Rutherford H. Spessard (then captain), when his battalion commander was killed, immediately assumed command of the battalion without orders and led them across the Vesle River against strongly fortified enemy positions, displaying absolute disregard for his personal danger. On October 2, in the vicinity of the Bois-de-Fays, Major Spessard exposed himself to intense enemy artillery and machine- gun fire while making observations and directing the movement of his men. He established his battalion headquarters a short distance to the rear of his lines in a position continually subjected to severe enemy artillery fire.