James Howland Donaldson

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James Howland Donaldson, Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action at Berzy-le-Sec, France, July 21, 1918. His captain having been killed, and after three days of continuous fighting, with many casualties, Lieutenant Donaldson reorganized his company and with such other available men as could be found led the attacking first wave on Berzy-le-Sec, displaying rare courage and splendid leadership, advancing in front of his company through a terrific enemy artillery and machine-gun barrage. Charging at the head of his men, five enemy machine-gun nests were destroyed, this officer personally killing two gunners with his pistol. Later his company was halted by terrific machine-gun fire from the front and left flank. Lieutenant Donaldson rushed to the edge of the wood, drove the enemy gunners to flight, and calling on his men to follow he led them through a treacherous muddy swamp across the river Crise in mud and water waist deep, in the face of terrific enemy artillery, machine-gun, and rifle fire. Upon reaching the river bank Lieutenant Donaldson was wounded but refused to be evacuated to the hospital, remaining on duty during several counterattacks until relieved two days later.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James Howland Donaldson, Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Cantigny, France, May 28, 1918. At the crucial moment of a strong enemy counterattack launched while the 28th Infantry was digging in and strengthening its newly captured position in front of Cantigny, Lieutenant Donaldson with great courage and splendid leadership, seeing one flank of a company without officer giving ground under intense fire, rushed over an area swept by concentrated machine-gun fire, steadied and reorganized the unit, and in conjunction with his own platoon led them in a successful counterattack, regaining all ground and holding for three days against persistent efforts by the enemy to dislodge him.