Philip Cepaglia

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Philip Cepaglia, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Binarville, France, October 2 – 8, 1918. Private Cepaglia was on duty as a battalion runner during the period of six days in which his own and another battalion were surrounded by the enemy in the Argonne Forest, France, and cut off from communication with friendly troops. Although he was without food and toward the end of the period almost exhausted, this soldier carried messages to all parts of the position. Constantly under heavy fire from machine guns and trench mortars, he showed an utter disregard for his own personal safety.