Headstone of Paul W. Derrickson, 2nd Lieutenant, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, A.E.F., recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, killed in action, May 28, 1918 in the Battle of Cantigny, France. His citation reads, 'The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Paul W. Derrickson, Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action in the advance on Cantigny, France, May 28, 1918. Second Lieutenant Derrickson courageously went forward with his platoon and reached the position he had been directed to take. Fearlessly walking up and down his line, he cheered and directed the work of his men until he was killed.' (Source: www.homeofheroes.com/members/02_DSC/citatons/01_wwi_dsc/dsc_05wwi_Army_DE.html, May 24, 2018) © 2013 by John M. Shea

Paul W. Derrickson

2 Lieut. 28 Inf. 1 Div.

Virginia May. 28, 1918

D.S.C.

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Tuesday, May 28, 1918

"On April 25th the First Division relieved two French divisions on the front near Montdidier and on May 28th captured the important observation stations on the heights of Cantigny with splendid dash. French artillery, aviation, tanks, and flame throwers aided in the attack, but most of this French assistance was withdrawn before the completion of the operation in order to meet the enemy's new offensive launched May 27th towards Château-Thierry. The enemy reaction against our troops at Cantigny was extremely violent, and apparently he was determined at all costs to counteract the most excellent effect the American success had produced. For three days his guns of all calibers were concentrated on our new position and counter-attack succeeded counter-attack. The desperate efforts of the Germans gave the fighting at Cantigny a seeming tactical importance entirely out of proportion to the numbers involved."

Quotation Context

Account of the May 28, 1918 offensive at Cantigny, the first American offensive, by American commander General John J. Pershing. The German action was part of the Aisne Offensive, begun on May 27. The attack began at 6:45 a.m. by the 28th Infantry supported by ten French tanks and a platoon of French flame throwers on a mile-long front. The Americans took the town and held it against two big counterattacks that afternoon and evening, and against a third attack the next morning. In the battle, the American 1st Division suffered 1,067 casualties, 199 of them killed.

Source

The Great Events of the Great War in Seven Volumes by Charles F. Horne, Vol. VI, 1918, p. 190, copyright © 1920 by The National Alumnia, publisher: The National Alumni, publication date: 1920

Tags

1918-05-28, 1918, May, Cantigny, Paul W. Derrickson