Ernest R. Potter

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Ernest R. Potter, First Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near St. Thibaut, France, August 7, 1918. When all the officers of his company had become casualties, and the morale of the men was sinking, Sergeant Potter assumed command and, after reorganizing the company, successfully led it in repelling several vicious hostile counterattacks. During the action he was wounded in the shoulder, but he refused to go to the rear until he was ordered to do so by the officer sent to relieve him.