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Army

Distinguished Service Medal Recipients

About the Army Distinguished Service Medal
 

About the Navy Distinguished Service Medal
 

Navy

 

     Dewitt Blamer, captain, United States Navy. For exceptionally meritorious and conspicuous service as chief of staff of the commander, Cruiser and Transport Fleet. Address: Care of the Bureau of Navigation, Navy Department, Washington, D.C. Appointed to Naval Academy from Iowa.

[transcribers notes: DeWitt Blamer was found living in 1895 at Independence, Buchanan Co., Iowa, at age 23 as per the 1895 Iowa State Census and died in Solano Co., California as per the Calif. Death Index]
 
      Frank C. Burnett, colonel, Infantry, United States Army. For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services. He commanded, with distinction, a battalion of the first American regiment to occupy trenches in France, and participated in the repulses of the first raid made by the enemy upon American troops. As deputy adjutant general, General Head quarters, American Expeditionary Forces, he has performed his manifold duties with ability and sound judgment. Address: Care of the Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D.C. Entered military service from Iowa.
 
    William D. Connor, brigadier general, United States Army. For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services. As assistant chief of staff and head of the co-ordination section of the General Staff American Expeditionary Forces, he showed unusual ability and tireless energy. As chief of staff of the 32d division in the trench operations in the Belfort sector and later as commander of the 63d Infantry Brigade in the advance to the Vesle he displayed particular ability as a leader of troops. He also performed valuable services as commander of a base port and as chief of staff of the Services of Supply. Address: Care of the Adjutant General of the Army, Washington D.C. Entered Military Academy from Iowa.
 
    Hanson E. Ely,  major general, United States Army. For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services. He commanded with skill, and marked distinction a regiment n the trench fighting north of Toul, in the operations west of Montdider, and in the action at Cantigny. As a brigade commander at Soissons and as a division commander in the Argonne-Meuse offensive he demonstrated rare capabilities as a commander. Address: Care of the Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D.C. Entered Military Academy from Iowa.
 
    Max B. Garber, colonel, 59th Infantry, 4th Division. For exceptionally meritorious and conspicuous services. He commanded with marked distinction the 59th Infantry during the attack on the Vesle. In this command he displayed those high qualities of ability, leadership and personal courage that marked him as a determining factor in the successes achieved by the 4th Division. Address: Care of the Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D.C. Entered Military Academy from Iowa.
 
 
    George S. Gibbs, brigadier general, Signal Corps, United States Army. For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services. As assistant to the chief signal officer, american Expeditionary Forces, much of the efficiency of the Signal Service in the zone of advance was due to his splendid ability and to his skill in the handling of the tactical and technical operations of the Signal Corps organizations attached to the service at the front. Address: Care of the Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D.C. Entered Military service from Iowa.
 
    John A. Hull, colonel, Judge Advocate General's Department, United States Army. For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services. As judge advocate of the Services of supply he most creditably handled the questions brought before him. His sound legal training, his complete knowledge of military administration, and his clear conception of the new and difficult problems involved made his service of the most exceptional value. Address: Care of the Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D.C. Entered military service from Iowa.
 
    Edward A. Kreger, brigadier general, United States Army. For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services. As acting judge advocate general for the American Expeditionary Forces he organized and efficiently administered his office, performing exacting duties with marked distinction. His masterful knowledge of military law, his foresight and practical comprehension of the complex problems involved in his work enabled him to perform it with noteworthy success. His counsel was wise; his decisions were just. His services to the American Expeditionary Forces have been of great value. Address: Care of the Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D.C. Entered military service from Iowa.
 
     George A. Lynch, lieutenant colonel, Infantry, United States Army. For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services. As a member of the training section he was chiefly responsible for the revision of the infantry Drill Regulations. In this important task he displayed a broad grasp of the tactical lessons of the war and showed sound judgment in adapting their principles to American needs, capabilities and characteristics, thereby rendering services of signal worth to the American Expeditionary Forces. Address: Care of the Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D.C. Entered Military Academy from Iowa.
 
     George H. McManus, brigadier general, United States Army. For exceptionally meritorious and conspicuous services as executive officer and troop movement officer, Port of Embarkation, Hoboken, N.J. Through his very able organization and administration of these important offices the transport of troops and supplies overseas was materially aided. Address: Care of the Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D.C. Entered Military Academy from Iowa.

     Brantz Mayer, lieutenant commander, United States Navy. For exceptionally meritorious and conspicuous services as supply officer, Newport News Division, Cruiser and Transport Force. Address: Care of the Bureau of Navigation, Navy Department, Washington, D.C. Entered naval service from Iowa.
 
     Palmer E. Pierce, lieutenant colonel, Infantry, United States Army. For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services. As brigadier general, United States Army, his zeal, intelligence and effective work n the preliminary organization of our industries for war contributed substantially to the progress made. Address: Care of the Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D.C. Entered Military Academy from Iowa.
 
     George W. Read, major general, United States Army. For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services. He commanded with distinction the 30th Division, and organized and commanded the 2d Army Corps in its operations with the British forces in France. He displayed qualities of leadership and professional attainments of a high order, and to his efforts are largely due the brilliant success achieved. Address: Care of the Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D.C. Entered Military Academy from Iowa.
 
     Charles McK. Saltzman, brigadier general, Signal Corps, United States Army. For exceptionally meritorious and conspicuous service. While assigned to duty in the Air Service he voluntarily undertook and successfully accomplished the difficult task, in the face of many obstacles of preparing an organization for the procurement and supply of Signal Corps equipment for the army. Address: Care of the Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D.C. Entered Military Academy from Iowa.
 
     George S. Simonds, brigadier general, United States Army. For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services. He served with marked distinction as chief of staff of the 2d Corps during the important operations along the Hindenburg line in the region of the Sambre Canal. His great adminstrative ability was shown in the excellent manner in which he handled a large force of American soldiers serving with the British. Address: Care of the Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D.C. Entered Military Academy from Iowa.
 
 
      Mathew A. Tinley, colonel, Infantry, United States Army. For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services. He displayed exceptional qualities of leadership in command of the 168th Infantry, which under his able leadership fulfilled every mission assigned to it. He was untiring in energy and devotion to his important duties, acting with sound judgment and initiative in times of emergency. His conduct was an inspiration to the men of his command, whom he led repeatedly in successful engagements. Address: 520 Third Street, Council Bluffs, Iowa. Residence at appointment: same
 
      Harry E. Wilkins, brigadier general, Quartermaster Corps, United States Army. For exceptionally meritorious and conspicuous services while in charge of the general supply depot, New York City. Address: Care of the Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D.C. Entered Military Academy from Iowa.

 

~source: Official Register, State of Iowa 1921-1922, Twenty-Ninth Number, Military Decorations of Iowans in the World War, pg. 360-376

~ Transcribed and contributed by Sharyl Ferrall for Iowa in the Great War Special Project