Ole Alendal

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Ole Alendal, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action in crossing the Meuse River, France, November 9 – 10, 1918. Private Alendal volunteered as a member of a patrol which was to cross the Meuse River by swimming at a point known to be heavily occupied by enemy detachments, on the night of November 9 – 10, to gain information of the enemy and to capture prisoners. When the members of the patrol reached the middle of the river, they were discovered by the enemy who immediately opened a severe fire upon them using artillery, machine guns, and hand grenades. The heavy fire compelled all but six men to return. With utter disregard for his own personal safety Private Alendal, one of the remaining members, continued to proceed until he made the supreme sacrifice while endeavoring to carry out the mission.