WWI Distinguished Service-Granville County


NORTH CAROLINA MEN AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS


Robert Lester BLACKWELL, of Person County, and Samuel Iredell PARKER, of Union County, were the only North Carolinians who won Congressional Medals of Honor for WWI, which is given for service above and beyond the call of duty. Two hundred North Carolina boys won the Distinguished Service Cross, which is given for great bravery in battle. Eleven won the Distinguished Service Medal, also, which is given for fine work. These medals were all given by the United States. France, Great Britain, Belgium, and other nations, also gave medals to many of our soldiers. But we cannot yet learn who they were. As far as possible, the names of these men decorated by the United States, and the stories of their services are told under the head of the counties from which they came. You should learn the heroes in your own county, and the brave deeds they did.

	Distinguished Service Cross-Army	Distinguished Service Medal

Granville County

JAMES M. ELLINGTON, first lieutenant, 120th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action near Bellicourt, France, September 29, 1918. Severely wounded in an attack, he refused to stop for first-aid, leading his men forward under heavy fire. When, after several hours fighting, he was ordered to the rear by his battalion commander, he returned to the front line after having his wound dressed, directing the work of reorganizing his command and consolidating the position that had been won. Home address, James M. Ellington, father, Oxford, N. C. (G. O. 81, W. D., 1919.)

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GRAHAM W. HARRIS, sergeant, Machine-gun Company, 120th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action near Bellicourt, France, September 29, 1918. Becoming separated from his platoon in the dense smoke and fog with five other soldiers, Sergeant Harris kept his men together and continued the advance under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire. Upon reaching the objective, he made a personal reconnaissance 600 yards to the front, captured several prisoners, and assisting in breaking up three machine-gun nests. He remained in this advanced position until he was ordered back. Home address, Mrs. R. W. Harris, mother, Oxford, N. C. (G. O. 44, W. D., 1919.)

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PAUL B. JENKINS, sergeant, Headquarters Company, 315th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action near Gibercy, France, November 11, 1918. While installing telephone line his regiment started an attack. The enemy responded with a terrific barrage, and before the communication was completed Sergeant Jenkins was in the midst of a heavy encounter. Bravely he remained at his post, endeavoring to establish telephone service, but was instantly killed by shell fire. Home address, Mrs. Eunice G. Strother, sister, Granville County, Franklinton, N. C. (G. O. 37, W. D., 1919.)

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JOHN B. MAYES, JR., captain, 120th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action near Bellicourt, France, September 29, 1918. Captain Mayes, with eight other soldiers, comprising his company headquarters' detachment, cleaned out enemy dugouts along the banks of a canal, capturing 242 prisoners. Home address, John B. Mayes, father, Stem, N. C. (G. O. 37, W. D., 1919.)

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WILLIAM H. POWELL, sergeant, Machine-gun Company, 120th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action near Bellicourt, France, September 29, 1918. Sergeant Powell, then a private, took charge of four other soldiers who had become separated from their platoon and led them forward toward the objective. Attacking a machine-gun nest, they captured seven prisoners and a Maxim gun, which they immediately put into action and fired 2,000 rounds at the enemy. They then continued to advance under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire. Home address, J. B. Powell, father, Oxford, N. C. (G. O. 44, W. D., 1919.)


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Source: NC Men Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, pp 44-45