Jerry Melfi

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Jerry Melfi, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Bois-de-Bantheville, France, October 14, 1918. After two runners had been wounded attempting to get liaison with the troops on the left of his regiment, Private Melfi, though sick from exposure, volunteered and successfully crossed an open field which was constantly swept by enemy machine-gun fire. Having accomplished his mission, he returned through the same machine-gun fire and delivered to his company commander the information he had gained. Private Melfi’s devotion to duty and fearlessness were an inspiration to his comrades.