Rabinowitz, Isaac
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Isaac Rabinowitz, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company A, 107th Infantry Regiment, 27th Division, A.E.F., near St. Souplet, France, October 18, 1918. When the advance of his battalion was checked by heavy machine-gun fire, Private Rabinowitz, with two other soldiers, went forward under heavy fire to reconnoiter the enemy positions. By effective rifle fire, they drove the gunners from two machine-gun nests into a dugout nearby, which they captured, together with 35 prisoners, including three officers.
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General Orders 98, War Department, 1919
Born: at Russia
Home Town: New York, New York
Raborn, John
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John Raborn, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company A, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, A.E.F., near Bois-de- Belleau, France, June 21, 1918. While making his way to a first-aid station after being wounded in five places by machine-gun bullets and shrapnel, he encountered two Germans. His own rifle having been shot away, Private Raborn picked up a rifle lying nearby and shot one of the Germans; and, in a bayonet duel with the other German, killed him also, after he himself had been wounded again during the encounter.
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General Orders 81, War Department, 1919
Born: at Spread, Georgia
Home Town: Augusta, Georgia
Rachek, John
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John Rachek, First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 104th Infantry Regiment, 26th Division, A.E.F., at Trugny, France, July 22, 1918. Although he had been twice wounded, First Lieutenant Rachek refused to be evacuated and continued on duty with his company during the attack and capture of Trugny under heavy fire until he was incapacitated by a third wound.
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General Orders No. No. 130, War Department, 1918
Born: at Austria
Home Town: Brooklyn, New York
*Radevick, Radovan
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Radovan Radevick, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company A, 4th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, A.E.F., near Grand Ballois Farm, France, July 14 - 15, 1918. During an intense shell and gas bombardment, Private Radevick repeatedly volunteered and carried messages and assisted in caring for the wounded at great personal risk.
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General Orders No. 32, War Department, 1919
Born: at Montenegro
Home Town: Cleveland, Ohio
Rafalsky, Nizel (AKA: Roy Nisel Falls)
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Nizel Rafalsky, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Sanitary Detachment, 115th Infantry Regiment (Attached), 29th Division, A.E.F., near Verdun, France, October 9 - 12, 1918. During the drive in which this regiment took part in the vicinity of the Meuse, Sergeant Rafalsky displayed great courage and presence of mind in attending to the wounded, not only of the organization to which he was attached but also of those in adjoining organizations. The exceptionally valuable service performed by this soldier was done under heavy shell and machine-gun fire.
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General Orders No. 2, War Department, 1919
Born: at Russia
Home Town: Baltimore, Maryland
Raffington, Charles S.
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Charles S. Raffington, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Medical Detachment, 2d Engineers (Attached), 2d Division, A.E.F., at Lucy, France, during the day and night of June 2 - 3, 1918. Private Raffington exposed himself to severe and continuous fire beyond the call of duty in order to bring aid to wounded engineers and marines.
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General Orders No. 99, War Department, 1918
Born: at Phillipsburg, Kansas
Home Town: Hutchinson, Kansas
Rafter, Edwin J.
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Edwin J. Rafter, Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company L, 105th Infantry Regiment, 27th Division, A.E.F., east of Ronssoy, France, September 27, 1918. Corporal Rafter while in command of a flank detachment of which all the members except himself were killed or wounded, remained alone at his post during the entire night, and by his constant rifle fire defeated several attempts of enemy groups to develop an attack on the left of his organization, thus enabling his company to reorganize and consolidate their position. His indomitable courage and devotion to duty set an inspiring example to the men of his company and battalion.
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General Orders No. No. 13, War Department, 1923
Born: at New York, New York
Home Town: New York, New York
Ragsdale, Irving Le Nois
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Irving Le Nois Ragsdale, Second Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for repeated acts of extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 356th Infantry Regiment, 89th Division, A.E.F., near Beaufort, France, November 4, 1918, and near Laneuville, France, November 6, 1918. Advancing across open ground under intense machine-gun and artillery fire on November 4, 1918, Lieutenant Ragsdale killed an enemy machine-gunner with his automatic pistol. Later he again crossed an open field under terrific machine-gun fire, killing two enemy gunners who were retarding the advance. On November 6, during an intense shell and gas bombardment of Laneuville, he repeatedly exposed himself while assisting the wounded.
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General Orders No. 35, War Department, 1919
Born: at Carthage, Missouri
Home Town: Portland, Oregon
Raible, Joseph C., Jr.
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Joseph C. Raible, Jr., First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 147th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Chateau-Thierry, France, July 5, 1918. Lieutenant Raible and three other pilots, at an altitude of 4,700 meters, attacked an enemy formation of eight battle planes flying at an altitude of 5,000 meters. The German machines dived on them and Lieutenant Raible engaged two in combat. In a hard fight, lasting five minutes and finishing at an altitude of 3,000 meters, he shot down one of the attacking party and drove off the other.
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General Orders No. No. 121, War Department, 1918
Born: at Hannibal, Missouri
Home Town: Hannibal, Missouri
Raikovich, Mato
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Mato Raikovich, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Machine-Gun Company, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, A.E.F., south of Soissons, France, July 21, 1918. Private Raikovich assisted in carrying a machine gun forward through intense enemy machine-gun and artillery fire. Placing his machine gun in action, he delivered an effective fire which caused the enemy to abandon the counterattack.
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General Orders No. No. 3, War Department, 1921
Born: at Austria
Home Town: Woodlawn, Pennsylvania
Raines, Lester
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Lester Raines, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company C, 309th Machine-Gun Battalion, 78th Division, A.E.F., near Grand Pre, France, October 29 to November 2, 1918. During the five days of operations, Private Raines worked without hesitation carrying messages through constant shell fire, and, acting as guide for ration parties, his information at all times proving most valuable and accurate.
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General Orders No. 35, War Department, 1919
Born: at Ryan, West Virginia
Home Town: Akron, Ohio
Raleigh, Walter J.
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Walter J. Raleigh, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company A, 107th Ammunition Train, 32d Division, A.E.F., near Juvigny, north of Soissons, France, September 4, 1918. During a heavy enemy bombardment a shell burst near two ammunition trucks that were being unloaded at a dump, blowing up one truck and setting fire to the other. Disregarding the warnings of bystanders, Private Raleigh rushed forward, cranked the engine of the burning truck and assisted in backing it to a place of safety while others extinguished the fire. His conspicuous bravery was the means of saving a large quantity of ammunition.
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General Orders No. No. 137, War Department, 1918
Born: at Menasha, Wisconsin
Home Town: Menasha, Wisconsin
Ralston, Orville Alfred
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Orville Alfred Ralston, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 148th Aero Squadron, 4th Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., over Bourion Wood, September 26, 1918. Having engine trouble, Lieutenant Ralston signaled his flight commander, left his formation, and started for the lines. Shortly afterwards his engine picked up and he decided to rejoin his formation. He found three of them engaged with seven Fokker biplanes over Bourion Wood. Seeing that one of our machines was hard pressed and in distress, Lieutenant Ralston instantly went to its assistance and drove one Fokker down into the clouds below. He followed directly behind the enemy machine and, as they came out of the clouds at a height of 3,000 feet, opened fire again on this Fokker at 15 yards range. The enemy machine made one complete spiral and crashed northeast of Bourion Wood. Four more Fokkers now attacked Lieutenant Ralston, but he managed to get back in the clouds and return safely to our lines, as did the rest of his flight.
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General Orders No. No. 38, War Department, 1921
Born: 11/19/1897 at Weeping Water, Nebraska
Home Town: Avoca, Nebraska
Ralston, Samuel J.
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Samuel J. Ralston, First Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company F, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, A.E.F., at Cantigny, France, May 28, 1918. First Sergeant Ralston commanded a platoon of his company, efficiently leading it in the initial attack and inspiring his men to reach their objective, where they dug in. Two runners having been wounded in an attempt to carry back a message calling for the lengthening of our artillery fire, he obtained permission to leave his platoon, volunteered to carry the message, and successfully delivered it to his regimental commander through a heavy German counter-barrage, the pass of the American barrage, and continuous and intense machine-gun fire, by which he was wounded. He repeatedly refused to be evacuated to the rear, though a serious counterattack was in progress, remaining at regimental headquarters until his recovery.
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General Orders No. No. 13, War Department, 1923
Born: at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Home Town: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Rampsch, John
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John Rampsch, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company G, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, A.E.F., near Soissons, France, July 19, 1918. During offensive operations near Soissons, Sergeant Rampsch was severely wounded in the neck, but continued to lead his platoon until forced to retire from loss of blood.
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General Orders No. 44, War Department, 1919
Born: at Russia
Home Town: Chicago, Illinois
*Ramsdell, Ralph
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Ralph Ramsdell, Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company D, 103d Machine-Gun Battalion, 26th Division, A.E.F., at Marcheville, France, September 26, 1918. Under terrific artillery and machine-gun fire, Corporal Ramsdell displayed exceptional bravery in hunting for machine-gun nests. He was killed while engaged in this hazardous work.
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General Orders No. No. 1, War Department, 1926
Born: at Hiram, Maine
Home Town: Waterboro, Maine
Ramsey, Earl E.
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Earl E. Ramsey, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company G, 353d Infantry Regiment, 89th Division, A.E.F., near the Barricourt Woods, France, November 2, 1918. Sergeant Ramsey was leading the first section of a combat platoon when it encountered machine-gun fire of such intensity that the entire advance was threatened. Realizing the gravity of the situation he stepped out into the open ahead of his men in order to direct them more effectively, inspiring them by his bravery. He was seriously wounded a few minutes later.
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General Orders 98, War Department, 1919
Born: at Cedar Vale, Kansas
Home Town: Cedar Vale, Kansas
Ramsey, Henry
(First Award)
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Henry Ramsey, First Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company F, 362d Infantry Regiment, 91st Division, A.E.F., during the Argonne offensive, France, September 26 - 29, 1918. For three days Sergeant Ramsey kept his men well organized, and when he was gassed and severely wounded in the chest, insisted that other men more seriously wounded than he be removed from the field before he would permit anyone to assist him to the dressing station.
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General Orders No. 2, War Department, 1919
Born: at Virgie, Kentucky
Home Town: New Bedford, Massachusetts
Other Award: Distinguished Service Cross w/OLC (WWI)
Ramsey, Henry
(Second Award)
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross (First Oak Leaf Cluster) is presented to Henry Ramsey, First Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company F, 362d Infantry Regiment, 91st Division, A.E.F., near the Scheldt River, Belgium, October 31, 1918. When the advance of the front line was held up by fire from a machine-gun nest 300 yards to the front, Sergeant Ramsey, with two others, crossed the open field in the face of fire from enemy artillery, machine-guns and snipers. Charging the nest, they killed two of the crew, wounded two others and captured five, together with the gun.
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General Orders No. 46, War Department, 1919
Born: at Virgie, Kentucky
Home Town: New Bedford, Massachusetts
Other Award: Distinguished Service Cross (WWI)
Ramsey, James R.
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James R. Ramsey, Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company M, 112th Infantry Regiment, 28th Division, A.E.F., near Apremont, France, October 2, 1918. During the attack east of Chene Tondu, when his organization was held up by a strong counterattack, Corporal Ramsey, in command of an automatic rifle squad, kept up harassing fire on the enemy from a position which was under heavy enemy fire. Four members of his squad were disabled and one gun put out of action, but he, single handed, kept up a constant fire with the one remaining gun. His heroic conduct was a material factor in the successful repulse of the enemy.
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General Orders No. No. 11, War Department, 1921
Born: at Butler County, Pennsylvania
Home Town: Grove City, Pennsylvania
Rancourt, John I.
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John I. Rancourt, First Lieutenant (Field Artillery), U.S. Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 88th Aero Squadron (Attached), 103d Field Artillery Regiment, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Fismes, France, August 9, 1918. First Lieutenant Rancourt and Richard C. M. Page, first lieutenant, pilot, were detailed to fly without escort on a visual reconnaissance over the enemy's lines. They were attacked by six enemy battle planes 1800 meters over Fismes. The Americans unhesitatingly fought this superior number of the enemy. Lieutenant Rancourt was three times seriously wounded in the legs above the knees, yet he continued to operate his machine-gun and shot down one of the enemy planes. In spite of the fact that his elevator controls on one side had been shot away, Lieutenant Page skillfully maneuvered the plane throughout the combat and piloted it safely back to his airdrome.
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General Orders No. No. 121, War Department, 1918
Born: at Port Henry, New York
Home Town: Providence, Rhode Island
Rand, George E.
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to George E. Rand, First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 353d Infantry Regiment, 89th Division, A.E.F., in Bois-de-Barricourt, France, November 2, 1918. First Lieutenant Rand led his platoon in the face of terrific machine-gun fire, capturing four machine-guns and their crews, thereby facilitating the advance of the command. Over half of his men were either killed or wounded before reaching the objective.
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General Orders No. 37, War Department, 1919
Born: at Detroit, Maine
Home Town: Vasselboro, Maine
Randall, Mood A.
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Mood A. Randall, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company A, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Division, A.E.F., near Catillon, France, October 19, 1918. When the advance was held up by enemy machine-gun fire, Sergeant Randall volunteered and led his platoon, which consisted of only eight men, under heavy enemy fire, in a successful attack on a machine-gun nest outflanking and putting same out of action, thereby enabling his company to continue advancing.
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General Orders 98, War Department, 1919
Born: at Valden, Mississippi
Home Town: Memphis, Tennessee
Randall, Samuel J.
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Samuel J. Randall, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company L, 108th Infantry Regiment, 27th Division, A.E.F., near St. Souplet, France, October 15, 1918. Accompanied by an officer and three other soldiers, he made a reconnaissance of the River La Selle, the journey being made under constant heavy machine-gun fire. To secure the desired information it was necessary to wade the stream for the entire distance.
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General Orders No. 37, War Department, 1919
Born: at Penn Yan, New York
Home Town: Penn Yan, New York
Randles, Harold J.
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Harold J. Randles, Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the Eightieth Company, Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F., in action in the Bois-de-Belleau, France, on June 6, 1918. In delivering messages, Corporal Randles voluntarily chose the most direct route, although it was through a machine-gun barrage, to deliver information which prevented the bombardment of positions that had just been occupied. He took the path of danger to save his comrades.
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General Order No. 119, War Department, 1918
Born: at Rochester, New York
Home Town: Rochester, New York
Other Award: Navy Cross (Same Action)
Ransom, Warren A.
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Warren A. Ransom, Second Lieutenant (Field Artillery), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 6th Field Artillery, 1st Division, A.E.F., near Missy-aux-Bois, Chaudon, France, July 18, 1918. Lieutenant Ransom accompanied Major John A. Crane, Field Artillery, on a reconnaissance of the enemy's position under intense enemy rifle, machine-gun, and artillery fire; the mission accomplished, Major Crane was seriously wounded while some distance in rear of Lieutenant Ransom and in plain view of the enemy gunners. Lieutenant Ransom returned at once to Major Crane, carried him to a place of comparative shelter, and, despite the heavy enemy fire, sought and found a medical officer, whom he led to the wounded officer. Again leaving shelter he secured a litter and with the assistance of two French soldiers carried the wounded officer to a place of safety.
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General Orders No. No. 14, War Department, 1923
Born: at New York, New York
Home Town: New York, New York
*Ranson, John O.
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John O. Ranson, First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 371st Infantry Regiment, 93d Division, A.E.F., near Ardeuil, France, September 30, 1918. When his company was held up by an enemy machine-gun nest, Lieutenant Ranson volunteered and led his platoon in an attack on the position and, while attempting to carry out his mission, was killed.