Ralph A. Capen
Home Town: Mattoon, IL
Distinguished Service Cross
World War I
U.S. Army
General Orders No. 37, W.D., 1919
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Ralph A. Capen, First Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Montfaucon, France, September 29 – October 1, 1918. On September 29 Sergeant Capen voluntarily left his place of safety and rescued a wounded comrade and brought him to a place of shelter. On October 1 he volunteered to assist in carrying rations to his company, making repeated trips through heavy artillery fire, and each time successfully accomplished his mission.