George L. Smith

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to George L. Smith, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action northeast of Gesnes, France, October 11, 1918. Private Smith established a collecting point for the wounded in the valley north of Hill 258, during the attack of his battalion. The unit on the right, which was being subjected to an extremely heavy machine-gun fire from the enemy was unable to advance, thus exposing the right flank of his battalion to a severe machine-gun fire. The terrain afforded no protection to anyone attempting to cross, and a runner while attempting to cross this terrain was severely wounded, falling in an exposed position. Private Smith, with splendid heroism and courage, dashed across the exposed area and carried his wounded comrade in to our lines and rendered first aid.