David W. Stearns

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to David W. Stearns, Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near St. Thibaut, France, August 6, 1918. Corporal Stearns was a member of a platoon ordered to precede the infantry, to construct footbridges across the Vesle River. Enemy sniper, machine-gun, and artillery fire was so intense that four attempts of his platoon failed. Acting upon his own initiative, Corporal Stearns made his way along the river in the face of the deadly fire, and, for one hour, reconnoitered the enemy’s positions, reporting back to his commanding officer with information of the greatest value.