Lionel W. Delesdernier

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Lionel W. Delesdernier, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Seicheprey, France, April 20, 1918. With great daring and utter disregard for his own safety Private Delesdernier made three hazardous journeys from his company command post to the battalion ammunition dump through the Bois-de-Remoirre, which was infested with enemy machine-gun nests and snipers. Twice he was driven off by pistol and grenade fire which he returned, and the third time forced to abandon further attempts when the dump was destroyed by enemy fire. Using the top of a dugout as a parapet he, with a few men of his company, engaged the enemy and with pistols and grenades alone kept the enemy from the company post of command. Finally Private Delesdernier, running through a terrific barrage of enemy fire, carried a message to the company support, accomplished his mission, and again returned through the enemy barrage to the defense of his company’s headquarters.