The following was provided by Helen Farrell
Pvt. Samuel M. Block
THE FORT MYERS PRESS, December 19, 1918 TAMPA SOLDIER GETS WAR CROSS
Distinguished Service Cross Is Given for Extraordinary Heroism
Washington,
Dec. 19 - The commander in chief, in the name of the President, has
awarded the Distinguished Service Cross to the following named soldier
for the act of heroism described after his name: Pvt. Samuel M. Block,
Company A, 102nd Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action at
Marcheville, France, September 26, 1918. After several other
runners had failed, Pvt.Block volunteered and was successful in
carrying a message through an intense machine gun and artillery
barrage. Home address, Mrs. Rose B. Block, general delivery,
Tampa, Fla.
Captain Frank M. Williams
THE FORT MYERS PRESS, December 18, 1918 FLORIDA MAN IS AWARDED CROSS
Captain Frank M. Williams of Tampa Displaced Extraordinary Heroism
Washington,
Dec. 18 - the commander in chief, in the name of the President, has
awarded the distinguished service cross to the following named officer
for the acts of extraordinary heroism described: Capt. Frank M.
Milliams, 324th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action
near St. Juvin, France, october 12 and 16, 1918. During the
operations in the vicinity of St. Juvin this officer demonstrated the
highest personal bravery and leadership. On October 12, although
he was wounded, he organized a provisional combat group and led it to a
ridge repulsing an enemy counterattack which threatened our left flank.
On October 16, while he was reconnoitering a position for machine
guns he rescued an American soldier from five armed Germans, four of
whom he killed with his pistol Later on the same day he saw a
hostile skirmish line advancing toward hill 182. He rushed a
machine gun forward with which the attack was broken. Home
address, Mrs. Clare Williams, wife, 410-1/2 Franklin Street, Tampa, Fla.
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