Theodore L. Cogswell

By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), First Lieutenant (Infantry) Theodore L. Cogswell, 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. First Lieutenant Cogswell distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 319th Infantry Regiment, 80th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action in the Bois-des-Ogons, France, 5 October 1918, in refusing to be evacuated after being wounded.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Theodore L. Cogswell, First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action at Landres-et-St. Georges, France, November 1, 1918. In the advance of that day Lieutenant Cogswell’s company was halted by intense machine-gun fire while passing through barbed-wire entanglements. In the face of this fire Lieutenant Cogswell voluntarily crawled down a slope in front of the enemy’s position and in full view thereof, discovered a sunken road at the foot of the slope, crawled back to his company, and led them to the advanced position. Immediately upon reaching the new position he again voluntarily sought a favorable forward position, crawling a distance of 75 yards toward the enemy, when he was severely wounded. The outstanding bravery and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Cogswell served to incite the men of his company to heroic endeavors, enabling them to assist in the capture of the town of Landres-et-St. Georges, together with 209 prisoners, 9 field pieces, and 15 machine guns.