Albert E. Elsea
Home Town: Joplin, MO
Distinguished Service Cross
U.S. Army
World War I
General Orders No. No. 16, W.D., 1920
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Albert E. Elsea, Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action during the Meuse-Argonne offensive, October 12, 1918. Second Lieutenant Elsea took up a position exposed to heavy machine-gun and artillery fire in order to direct the fire of his machine guns. Although knocked down twice by concussion of high-explosive shells, he continued at his position. On October 15, 1918, he gathered a squad of strugglers under fire and led them, together with his own unit, to their objectives.
Distinguished Service Cross
U.S. Army
World War I
General Orders No. No. 16, W.D., 1920
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Albert E. Elsea, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Hilsenfirst, France, July 6, 1918, while acting as machine-gun leader. Sergeant Elsea was wounded in the face by a bursting shell, but continued to direct his men until attack ended, and then insisted on walking to a dressing station.
