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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Corps of Engineers) Edward Elsworth, Jr., United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 6th Engineers, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in the Claires-Chenes Woods, France, 20 October 1918. When two machine-gun nests were holding up the advance of his company, Lieutenant Elsworth took three soldiers and by daring and skillful maneuvering captured both guns. Later in the same day Lieutenant Elsworth charged another machine-gun nest and was killed.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Corps of Engineers)

    Regiment:

    6th Engineer Regiment

    Division:

    3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 20, 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), First Lieutenant (Corps of Engineers) Edward Elsworth, Jr., United States Army, is cited (Posthumously) 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 the 6th Engineer Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Lieutenant Elsworth displayed extraordinary heroism in action at Claire Chenes Woods, France, on 20 October 1918. When two machinegun nests were holding up the advance of his company, Lieutenant Elsworth took three soldiers and by daring and skillful maneuvering, captured both guns. Later in the day Lieutenant Elsworth charged another machine gun nest and was killed. [A Distinguished Service Cross was awarded for this action.]