Earl C. Payne

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Earl C. Payne, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Blanc Mont Ridge, France, October 7, 1918. Private Payne displayed exceptional valor and devotion to duty by constantly attending the wounded under machine-gun and artillery fire. He continued his task until mortally wounded, while rendering first aid to a wounded soldier under the direct observation of an enemy machine-gunner.