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 Pharmacist’s Mate Alvin Ward Pilkerton, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Corpsman with the Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Thiaucourt, France, 15 September 1918. While he was dressing the injuries of a wounded soldier under heavy shell fire, Pharmacist’s Mate Pilkerton was himself severely wounded in two places, but he refused to treat his own wounds until he had taken care of his patient.




