James A. Cresswell

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James A. Cresswell, Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action north of Verdun, France, October 26, 1918. In the desperate attacks of the 101st Infantry, Corporal Cresswell captured and held the last height of the Meuse between the 23d and 28th of October, 1918. Corporal Cresswell, having succeeded to the command of his platoon, displayed the utmost bravery and fearlessness in personally leading his platoon in repeated attacks against the enemy, during which he exposed himself with great courage. He proved himself an inspiring and successful leader in all these attacks. On October 26, with utter disregard of danger, he personally led an attack, successfully wiping out a group of four machine-gun nests, thereby clearing dangerous terrain and allowing the unit on his right to successfully proceed with the counterattack. He went without rest and sleep to the point of exhaustion, and his personal valor and bravery gave added impetus to his men, so that under his able leadership all the new objectives during these dates were captured until the platoon itself was relieved on October 29.