George W. Pyrah

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to George W. Pyrah, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Sommerance, France, October 15, 1918. Private Pyrah and three other soldiers were detailed to cut wire in advance of the infantry during an attack on the enemy lines. While carrying out the mission they were fired upon by a machine-gun at close range, which killed one and wounded another. He fired into the nest, wounded the gunner, and disabled the gun, then charged the group with his bayonet and captured three prisoners.