Thomas Roden

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Thomas Roden, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Romagne, France, October 20, 1918. After his company had suffered heavy casualties and all officers either killed or wounded during the attack on Hill 299, Sergeant Roden reorganized his company and took a position which he held against repeated attack by a superior enemy force. He fearlessly exposed himself to the fire of the attacking party in order to encourage his men and better direct their fire on the enemy, who were repulsed, several of the enemy being taken prisoners. On the following night he voluntarily led a patrol into the enemy lines, captured four of the enemy, and returned with valuable information.