Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant Jesse William Pratt (ASN: 541923), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company G, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Cierges, France, 11 and 24 October 1918. Though his platoon had been reduced by casualties to only three squads, Sergeant Pratt led it to the objective and despite an intense artillery and machine-gun barrage, succeeded in capturing a machine-gun nest, which was enfilading his flank, killing the entire crew. On 24 October after all the officers of his battalion had become casualties, Sergeant Pratt assumed command and by daring leadership pushed forward the attack, successfully consolidating the captured position and holding it against repeated hostile counterattacks.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Regiment:

    7th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 11, 1918
    Headquarters, 3d Division, A.E.F., Citation Orders No. 22 (July 8, 1919)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Sergeant Jesse W. Pratt (ASN: 541923), United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the World War I Victory Medals awarded him. While serving with Company G, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, on the night of 11 October 1918, near Cierges, France, in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, Sergeant Pratt led his platoon, then reduced by casualties to three squads, in an attack capturing his objective and in spite of a most intense artillery and machine gun barrage succeeded in capturing a machine gun nest which was enfilading his flank, killing one officer and all the men who manned the position. Later when all the officers of his company and the battalion had been killed or disabled, he assumed command of the battalion and by his daring leadership pushed forward the attack and successfully consolidated the newly gained position which he held against repeated counter attacks of the enemy. [A Distinguished Service Cross was awarded for this action.]