Victor E. Garrett

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Victor E. Garrett, Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Berzy-le-Sec, France, July 19, 1918, and near Exermont, France, October 4, 1918. Lieutenant Garrett displayed great courage and self-sacrifice during the four days’ battle south of Soissons, conducting his platoon with calmness and good judgment, especially on July 19, 1918, when he aided in keeping his company together when large shells struck among the men, personally supervising the care of the wounded and getting them to aid stations, with utter disregard of his own safety, while subjected to heavy enemy artillery and machine-gun fire. Lieutenant Garrett displayed extraordinary heroism during the three days previous to the attack on Exermont, France, by refusing to be evacuated although suffering from an injury to his foot, remaining at his post until October 4, 1918, when acting as liaison officer, he with five men was suddenly confronted by 20 Germans, and while leading the attack he made the supreme sacrifice. His dauntless courage and excellent example enabled his men to take the Germans as prisoners.