Samuel A. Brown, Jr.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Samuel A. Brown, Jr., Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Ronssoy, France, September 29, 1918. Advancing with his platoon through heavy fog and dense smoke and in the face of terrific fire which inflicted heavy casualties on his forces, Lieutenant Brown reached the wire in front of the main Hindenburg line, and, after reconnoitering for gaps, assaulted the position and effected a foothold. Having been reinforced by another platoon, he organized a small force, and by bombing and trench fighting captured over a hundred prisoners. Repeated attacks throughout the day were repelled by his small force. He also succeeded in taking four field pieces, a large number of machine guns, antitank rifles, and other military property, at the same time keeping in subjection the prisoners he had taken.