Thomas Gaddis

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Thomas Gaddis, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near La Chene Tondu, France, October 5, 1918. When his company had been held up by sweeping fire from a machine-gun nest, Sergeant Gaddis, in charge of a patrol of five men, went forward to reduce the nest. The patrol was once driven back by the terrific fire, but again advanced. Fifteen feet from the nest two guns opened fire, killing three of the patrol, whereupon Sergeant Gaddis rushed forward alone and killed the crews of both guns with hand grenades. His action not only made possible the advance of the line, which was of extreme importance, but also saved many of his comrades at a time when his company had suffered heavy casualties.