Bruce Epley

By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Sergeant Bruce Epley (ASN: 734104), United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Sergeant Epley distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Company M, 6th Infantry Regiment, 5th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action at Frapelle, France, 17 August 1918. After leading his own section to his objective, he rallied and led another platoon to his objective under heavy enemy fire.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Bruce Epley, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action at Frapelle, France, August 17, 1918. Rather than ask another to undertake so dangerous a mission, Sergeant Epley himself cut the enemy’s wire under heavy bombardment and led his section to its objective. Later, in the absence of his platoon commander, he assumed command of his platoon and directed the consolidation of its position. He then crossed an open field under heavy machine-gun fire to locate another platoon which had become lost, found the remnants of the platoon, which he reorganized and led to the objective. Though he had been seriously gassed, this soldier continued on duty throughout the three days’ bombardment, refusing to be evacuated until he was ordered to the rear.