Blake Lightner

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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Blake Lightner, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 110th Infantry Regiment, 28th Division, A.E.F., at Courmont, France, 29 to 31July 1918, and near Montblainville, France, and 27 September 1918 to 3 October 1918. Lieutenant Lightner voluntarily established an advance observation post at Courmont. During his work, he was knocked down by the concussion of an exploding shell but remained at his post. Throughout the action in the Argonne he repeatedly exposed himself while leading his men. At Montblainville, although wounded by a shell splinter, he continued in action and succeeded in putting into operation German machine guns against the enemy, greatly assisting in repulsing their counterattack. He refused to be evacuated until ordered to the rear.
(source: BarryC)