Donald D. Palmer
Home Town: West Allis, WI
Distinguished Service Cross
World War I
U.S. Army
General Orders No. 20, W.D., 1919
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Donald D. Palmer, Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Cierges, France, August 2, 1918. Corporal Palmer was a member of a detachment stringing telephone wire far in advance of the front lines through the heaviest artillery fire. When connection was established at a point within 100 yards of the German line and before the American advance was begun, he volunteered to remain there until our troops had advanced far enough to establish the advance regimental post of command at that place. His devotion to duty under conditions of greatest danger assisted immeasurably in maintaining unity of action between the front lines and regimental post of command, and his utter indifference to his own safety made easier the capture of a strong enemy position.
