Walter W. Wall

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Walter W. Wall, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Soissons, France, July 18, 1918. After 12 hours of hard fighting, when Private Wall’s platoon had gained its objective, the water taken forward in canteens had become exhausted and the men were suffering from thirst. Knowing that the chances were against anyone being able to cross the shell-swept territory for water, the platoon commander called for volunteers. Private Wall responded, and, collecting the canteens of his comrades, departed on his precarious mission. Several hours later he returned, utterly exhausted, but bearing with him the canteens filled with precious water. Other men attempting to make similar trips in the same vicinity were either killed or wounded.