Frank J. Williams, Jr.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Frank J. Williams, Jr., Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Ronssoy, France, September 29, 1918. While operating against the enemy, Sergeant Williams’ tank received a direct hit, killing or wounding the entire crew. Although severely wounded, Sergeant Williams assisted his tank commander, who was severely wounded and temporarily blinded, to a position of shelter in the gap of a near-by trench. He then returned to his tank and under heavy fire continued to operate a 6- pounder against the enemy until driven out by armor-piercing shells. He then assisted in the operation of a machine gun against heavy enemy fire from a trench that lay between them and our first line. When it became sufficiently dark, he aided his tank commander to a first-aid station. His courage and heroic actions throughout the day were largely responsible for saving the life of the officer commanding his tank.