William A. Aird

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William A. Aird, Major, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action between the Meuse River and the Argonne Forest, France, September 26, to October 4, 1918. Major Aird repeatedly reorganized the Infantry on the left flank of his division sector, and by his sound tactics and good judgment kept the attack progressing against snipers, machine-gun nests, and artillery. He personally, on several occasions, went forward to reconnoiter and then led the attack against the discovered positions. He captured three enemy 77-millimeter guns, and by sighting through the bore, turned their fire on hostile emplacements and machine-gun nests, destroying many such nests. His fearlessness, courage and initiative were an inspiration and example to those under him, and to his efforts much of the splendid progress on this portion of the field was due.