James Lewis

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James Lewis, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Exermont, France, October 4 – 11, 1918. Sergeant Lewis volunteered repeatedly for dangerous missions; and, a private at the time, took command of the platoon when all the noncommissioned officers had become casualties. In leading his men forward, he inspired them by his personal bravery, ably directing the consolidation of the objective when taken. Placed in permanent command of his platoon by his company commander, he led an attack with marked disregard of personal danger and later led ration and water details through heavily gassed and shelled areas to obtain supplies for his men.