Vance Mershon

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Vance Mershon, Captain, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Exermont, France, October 4 – 11, 1918. After the battalion commander and all the senior officers had been killed or wounded, Captain Mershon (then a first lieutenant) took command of the battalion and led it successfully to its objective, remaining with it after being painfully wounded, until properly relieved and the new commanding officer thoroughly acquainted with the situation. He then had his wound dressed and returned to his company, actively supervising the laying of barrages by indirect fire. On the third day he was ordered to the rear, there had his wounds dressed, again returning to his company, remaining with it until it was relieved and reorganized. His courage, self-sacrifice, and utter disregard for his own personal danger was a material inspiration to his men while under the terrific bombardment by enemy artillery.