Charles W. Brison Shipton G. Grauer William A. Haas James Smeck

The following WWI heroes from Berks County earned the US Army’s Distinguished Service Cross or the US Navy’s Navy Cross, which are the second highest medals awarded by the United States of America for gallantry in combat. The heroes will be recognized at the Berks County Military Hall of Fame induction on November 10, where the theme will be the 100 th anniversary of the armistice to end The Great War. The Berks County Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking family members to receive the Military Hall of Fame honors at the induction ceremony. The following information has been provided by the Berks History Center or from Berks County records. Your assistance in locating family members will be greatly appreciated.

Charles W. Brison Unit: Company A, 60th Infantry Regiment, 5th Division, A.E.F. Buried Forest Hills Cemetery Citation: The Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to Charles W. Brison, Mechanic in the U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Cunel, France, October 12, 1918. While his company was occupying a position on the forward slope of a hill, subjected to incessant sniping, machine gun and artillery fire, mechanic Brison voluntarily covered a large area searching for the wounded and administered first aid to them. He also carried important messages between the different units of his company.

Shipton G. Grauer Unit: Company B, 108th Machine Gun Battalion, 28th Division, A.E.F. Buried Oise-Aisne American Cemetery, Seringes-et- Nesles, France Citation: Sergeant Shipton G. Grauer was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross posthumously for extraordinary heroism in action near Baslieux, north of the Vesle River in France on September 5, 1918. The advance of his platoon having been halted by a wire entanglement, Sergeant Grauer advanced alone about 50 yards in advance of his platoon, under enemy fire, and located a gap in the enemy wire. He then signaled to his platoon which advanced. He was mortally wounded in the performance of this act, but his gallant deed enabled the others to continue the attack. Sergeant Grauer died of his wounds on September 15, 1918.

William A. Haas Unit: Company C, 316th Infantry Regiment, 79th Division, A.E.F. Buried Forest Hills Cemetery Citation: Corporal Haas was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross near Verdun, France on November 5, 1918. Corporal Haas and two other men occupied a small shell hole on the front line, there being no other troops near except 15 men who occupied a large shell hole a few yards to their right. Germans crept through the lines and disarmed the men in the large shell hole. Corporal Haas and his two companions immediately opened rapid fire, killing six of the Germans and completely routing the others, thereby rescued their 15 comrades from the hand so the enemy.

James Smeck Unit: Company B, 149th Machine Gun Battalion, A.E.F. Buried Aulenbachs Cemetery Citation: Private 1st Class James Smeck was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism near Sergy, France on July 31, 1918. He was a runner, when another runner was mortally wounded trying to reach company headquarters. He volunteered for and accomplished a mission, passing through intense artillery and machine gun fire.

Daniel R. Smith Unit: Company H., 16th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Division, A.E.F. No local or American Battle Monuments Commission burial record Citation: Sergeant Daniel R. Smith was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in action near Soissons, France on July 20, 1918. Sergeant Smith led three squadrons against an artillery position which was holding up the advance of his company by direct fire. After suffering heavy casualties, he with two others charged the enemy position. Due to his courage and leadership four 77 millimeter guns were captured and 50 of the enemy were forced to surrender.

John H. Snyder Unit: 1st Observation Group of the U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F. No local or American Battle Monuments Commission burial record Citation: Lieutenant John H. Snyder was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross while serving in the U.S. Army Air Service on September 12, 1918. While on a special mission to determine the probable enemy concentration in the back areas, Lieutenant Snyder, with his pilot, in spite of almost impossible flying conditions flew 60 kilometers over the enemy lines at a very low altitude. They continued on regardless of very active and accurate machine gun and anti- aircraft fire. They returned to our lines only when their mission was successfully completed.

Willis P. Snyder Unit: Company D, 150th Machine Gun Battalion, 42nd Division, A.E.F. Buried Forest Hills Cemetery Citation: Private Willis P. Snyder was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in action east of Reims, France on July 15, 1918. While manning a machine gun against the enemy, and after all his comrades had either been killed or wounded, Private Snyder remained at his post and, in the hand-to-hand fight which ensued, forced the enemy to retire, and, although wounded he attempted to carry back his wounded comrades. His supreme courage and devotion to duty were and inspiration to all so that General Pershing decorated Private Snyder himself.

James Whalen Unit: Company D., 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, A.E.F. No local or American Battle Monuments Commission burial record Citation: Sergeant Whalen was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions near Cantigny, France on May 28, 1918. During an enemy counterattack Sergeant Whalen led a small group forward to a shell hole about 50 yards in front of his company position. Although wounded, he kept an automatic rifle in action and assisted in breaking up the enemy attack.

The following Marine Corps hero received the US Navy’s Navy Cross for his gallantry in combat. We need to find his family members too.

William L. Griffin Unit: 45th Company, 5th Regiment, 2nd Division, Marine Corps, A.E.F.

Buried Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, Belleau, France Citation: Corporal William L. Griffin was awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism while serving with his company in action at Chateau-Thierry, France on the 6th of June 1918. Corporal Griffin made the supreme sacrifice as proof of his heroism which will serve as an example to hitherto untried troops.

The following WWI heroes were inducted into the Military Hall of Fame in past years.

Carl A. Spaatz Unit: 3rd Aero Squadron, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F. Citation: The President of the United States takes pleasure in awarding the Distinguished Service Cross to Major Carl Spaatz for his extraordinary heroism in action during the St. Mihiel offensive September 26, 1918. Although he received orders to go to the United States, Major Spaatz begged for and received permission to serve with a pursuit squadron at the front. Subordinating himself to men of lower rank, he was attached to a squadron as a pilot and saw continuous and arduous service through the offensive. As a result of his efficient work he was promoted to the position of night commander. Knowing that another attack was to take place in the vicinity of Verdun, he remained on duty in order to take part. On the day of the attack west of Meuse, while with his patrol over enemy lines, a number of enemy aircraft were encountered. In the combat that followed he succeeded in bringing down three enemy planes. In his ardor and enthusiasm he became separated from his patrol while following another enemy far beyond the lines. His gasoline giving out, he was forced to land and managed to land within friendly territory. Through these acts he became an inspiration and example to all men with whom he was associated.

Frederick A. Muhlenberg Unit: 314th Infantry Regiment, 79th Division, A.E.F. Citation: The Distinguished Service Medal is presented to Captain Frederick A. Muhlenberg for extraordinary heroism in action near Nantillois, France, September 26-30, 1918. As regimental adjutant Captain Muhlenberg displayed the utmost disregard for personal danger in in assisting his regimental commander in maintaining liaison with the front lines. After being painfully wounded and gassed by a bursting gas shell, this officer refused to be evacuated, but remained on duty, carrying orders to the front line and bringing back valuable information, until he was ordered to the rear.

Charles I. Young Jr. Unit: Company D, 327th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Division, A.E.F. Citation: First Sergeant Charles Young was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in action near Cornay, France on October 9, 1918. Assisted by six other soldiers, Sergeant Young fought his way through a greatly superior number of the enemy and rescued 13 wounded comrades, thereby saving them from being taken by the enemy. After all the officers had become casualties, he assumed command of the company, reorganizing and leading it through many attacks, and contributing greatly to the success of his company.