Jessie V. Williams

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Jessie V. Williams, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Haumont, France, September 15, 1918. When the platoon he commanded was enfiladed successively by two machine-gun nests, Sergeant Williams disposed his men so that both nests were captured without casualties. He displayed marked personal heroism in the advance, killing one enemy gunner with the butt of his rifle and bayoneting a second. His display of fearlessness was an example that inspired his men.