Herman Crites

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Herman Crites, First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Juvigny, France, August 31, 1918. After his own company had reached the objective assigned to it, Lieutenant Crites made a personal reconnaissance on the front and flank and discovered that the right flank regiment was being held up by a strong machine-gun nest. He immediately maneuvered his company to a position where an enfilading fire could be delivered, enabling the flanking regiment to attain its objective. By utilizing the German arms and ammunition, his company took up the advance when it was discovered that a wide interval had been left between the two regiments because of a terrific machine-gun fire on the flanks of the regiments. He at once directed his company in the filling of this gap, holding the position during the night, as well as capturing four heavy and two light machine guns.