Helmuth Dewitz

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Helmuth Dewitz, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action at Juvigny, north of Soissons, France, August 31, 1918. Private Dewitz was a member of a party who assisted in attacking a machine-gun nest held by approximately 70 Germans. Under terrific fire from the enemy who laid down an artillery barrage upon their position, they concentrated their rifle fire so effectively that 32 Germans surrendered within an hour. After the prisoners had been brought in, Private Dewitz, with another soldier, using a captured German gun, established a machine-gun position under heavy fire from both artillery and machine guns and delivered fire upon enemy positions.