Joseph Brown Sanborn

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Joseph Brown Sanborn, Colonel, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Gressaire Wood, France, August 9, 1918. Immediately after a forced march of 25 miles, Colonel Sanborn’s regiment was ordered into a critical engagement. Hurrying to the front he personally led his forces through a heavy and concentrated shell fire, and started the attack at the exact allotted time. After launching his attack he established his post of command in a shell hole and directed the battle to a successful termination. The courage and fearlessness of Colonel Sanborn, despite his advanced age of 62 years, were remarkable to all under his command.