Wortham J. Payne

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Wortham J. Payne, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Very, France, October 9, 1918. During a heavy bombardment, Sergeant Payne located a position in which his platoon would be less exposed to the intense shelling, and returning he collected his men and led them to this new location without a casualty. In the course of this exploit Sergeant Payne was severely wounded, but directed his platoon to the place of protection after falling from exhaustion. Sergeant Payne died on his way to the hospital.