Otto E. Benell

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Otto E. Benell, Second Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Thiaucourt, France, September 12, 1918, Lieutenant Benell went out on a two-hour counter attack artillery adjustment under adverse weather conditions. Soon after he suffered an accident to his right hand, which made it useless. In spite of this injury, he continued to operate his wireless key with his left hand, directing the fire of the batteries on concentrations behind the enemy lines.