Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2005.49.2 |
Object Name |
Medal |
Collection |
HISTORY |
Date |
1918-1919 |
Year Range from |
1918 |
Year Range to |
1919 |
Description |
Distinguished Service Cross: brass bar with pin back; suspended below is a blue silk ribbon with white and red vertical stripes on the edges; suspended from a ring at bottom is a bronze cross with American Eagle on front holding a ribbon in its talons reading: "FOR VALOR". Awarded for "extraordinary heroism against an armed enemy.." See actual citation text in notes. John Daniel Spencer was born in Oshkosh, WI on June 14, 1890, the son of Abner and Clara Hamer Spencer. He married some time between 1914 and 1916 to Rose P. Beglinger. John enlisted in 1907 and is listed as 2nd Lieutenant in Company B, 2nd Wisconsin National Guard in 1914 and was promoted to 1st Lieutenant on April 30, 1915. He served in Texas during the Mexican Border War of 1916. Spencer remained with the company when they became Company B, 127th Infantry, 32nd Division in July 1917. On August 3, 1918 Spencer took command of Company B, 127th Infantry. During the assault on the town of Fismes, France, he lead the company in attacking several German Machine Guns. He was severely wounded in the side by a bullet and was carried from the field. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the French Croix-de-Guerre for his coolness and bravery in action. He was later promoted to Captain. The official ceremony took place at Hartenfels, Germany on March 18, 1919. The DSC was presented to him personally by General Pershing in front of the entire 32nd Division. He lived in Oshkosh the rest of his life and died on May 14, 1963. His obituary is on pg. 12, 5-14-63, ODN. |
Event |
World War I |
People |
Spencer, John D. |
Search Terms |
World War I 127th Infantry 32nd Division |
Used |
Spencer, John D. |