Thomas G. Cagle

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Thomas G. Cagle, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Poncheaux, France, October 7, 1918. When part of the line had been halted by heavy fire from three machine-gun nests, Private Cagle and Corporal George W. Spears, armed only with rifles and bayonets, rushed the nearest hostile position, and, of the crew of six, killed three and put the remainder to flight. Being unable to advance on two other guns because of their heavy fire, these two soldiers then opened fire with their rifles and forced the remainder of the crew of approximately 12 to abandon the position, after two of their number had been killed and two wounded. Private Cagle was wounded in this action, but he declined to be evacuated, and shortly afterwards was killed.