Fred L. Laird

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Fred L. Laird, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action at Hilsenfirst, Alsace, July 6, 1918. While acting as rear guard for a raiding party Private Laird saw two of the enemy who had escaped the attention of the raiding party preparing to cut off the retreat of the party. In spite of the enemy machine-gun and artillery fire he remained behind to cover the retreat of the party and by his rifle fire killed two of the enemy who were preparing to cut off the retreat of the party. A few minutes later, with a grenade, he killed one of the enemy who had attacked two unarmed litter bearers. By his prompt deed he saved the lives of these two men.