Jesse C. Willoughby
Distinguished Service Cross
U.S. Army
World War I
General Orders No. No. 53, W.D., 1920
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Jesse C. Willoughby, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Exermont, France, October 4, 1918. His company commander being incapacitated on the morning of October 4, 1918, Sergeant Willoughby assumed command of the company, reorganized it under heavy fire, and led it forward in the attack. The company participated in attack and capture of Hill 240 on that date. The noncommissioned officer held the command in the position gained until he was relieved on October 11, 1918.