Leon Marchand

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Leon Marchand, Lieutenant, French Army, for extraordinary heroism in action during the Battle of the Marne, July 15, 1918. Lieutenant Marchand repeatedly displayed superb courage by voluntarily proceeding from the regimental command post dugout to an observation post on the edge of the woods, through intense shell fire, in order to observe the progress of the action and obtain information necessary for the commanding officer. The superb courage of Lieutenant Marchand was an inspiration to the men of the regiment to which he was attached.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Leon Marchand, Lieutenant, French Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near the Ferme de Madeleine du Cunel, France, October 14, 1918. Lieutenant Marchand twice voluntarily accompanied attacking troops through heavy enemy barrages, and on one of these occasions was caught between friendly and hostile machine-gun fire, displaying notable coolness and gallantry. Later, in the same night, he volunteered and led a patrol into the Bois-de-Pultiere to locate a dugout for the advance regimental post of command, although he knew the woods were saturated with gas, by which he was overcome.