Ernest J. G. Rusch

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Ernest J. G. Rusch, First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action in the Meuse- Argonne offensive, France, October 9, 1918. Although previously wounded several times Lieutenant Rusch steadfastly remained in command of his platoon of machine guns and gallantly led it forward into position through heavy artillery and machine-gun fire to support his Infantry, which had been held up by enemy fire. By his timely action, his skill in location of his guns and the direction of their fire, and his absolute disregard of personal danger, he quickly caused the withdrawal of the enemy machine guns, thus enabling his Infantry to advance from its precarious position where it was suffering heavy losses from direct fire of enemy machine guns and artillery.