Harley E. Banks

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Harley E. Banks, First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action during the attack on Cote-de-Chatillon, France, October 14 – 16, 1918. Lieutenant Banks led his platoon in repeated attacks on the strongly fortified enemy position. When his company commander was wounded, Lieutenant Banks assumed command of the company and, by personal observation under fire of enemy snipers and machine gunners, obtained valuable information relative to the enemy’s lines. He led his company across an open field in the final attack under heavy enemy machine-gun and rifle fire and was among the first to reach the objective. After consolidating his position Lieutenant Banks, under a heavy hostile barrage, again formed his company to resist the counterattack and by his skill and bravery was mainly responsible for its repulse. Throughout the three days Lieutenant Banks demonstrated great leadership and utter disregard for his own personal safety, thereby setting a splendid example of courage and devotion to duty to the men of his command.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Harley E. Banks, First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action in the St. Mihiel salient, France, September 22, 1918. Lieutenant Banks led a platoon in a raid on the village of Haumont, displaying excellent skill and leadership in getting the platoon into the designated position under an intense and highly concentrated enemy artillery and machine-gun fire. Upon entering the village Lieutenant Banks personally captured a machine gun and then, with the assistance of two runners, captured eleven prisoners from adjacent dugouts.