Military Thursday~Sgt. William E. Sellers

 CHESTERFIELD BOY HERO 

SERGT. WILLIAM E. SELLERS HONORED FOR BRAVERY UNDER FIRE. SHOT ONE, STUCK ONE 

Sergt. William E. Sellers, of Company I, 118th Infantry, has been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in France, on October 8th, 1918. 

The notification sent out by the War Department, a copy of which was received by The Advertiser, rends: 

"The Commander-in-Chief, American Expeditionary Forces in France, in the name of the President of the United States, has awarded the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergt. William E. Sellers, of Company I, 118th Infantry, for extraordinary heroism in action near Brancourt, France, on October 8th, 1918. While Sergt. Sellers' platoon was advancing he, on his own initiative, rushed ahead of the line and flanking an enemy machine gun post, shot one of the crew and bayoneted the other. His action saved his platoon from heavy casualties. His home address is Chesterfield, S.C."

Sergt. Sellers, when told of the honor that had been bestowed upon him in appreciation of his heroic behavior, declared that he had done anything that any of the boys Wouldn't have done if they had thought of it and had had the chance. He is as modest and retiring now us he was fearless and daring in the time and danger, as indeed all heroes seem to be.

Sergt. Sellers was born in this county, being the son of Mr. Charles R. Sellers and Mrs. Sarah E. Sellers. They live in the Spencer section, about four miles from town, where father and son are engaged in farming. 

Distinguished Service Cross (United States): 

This is the second highest military honor that can be given to a member of the U.S. Army[3]. It is awarded for extreme gallantry at risk of life in combat with an enemy force[4]. During World War I, over 6,000 men were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, including several American Indians. Some service members were decorated multiple times for separate acts of valor.

William Edmond Sellers was born on 12 Nov 1893, a son of Charles Riley Sellers and Sara Ellen Brock. He died on 8 Apr 1970 at the age of 77 in Alexandria, Virginia.  

William Edmond Sellers is my 2nd Cousin Once Removed.

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1. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com: accessed November 2023); Memorial page for William Edmond Sellers; (12 November 1893–8 April 1970); Find a Grave memorial # 32673225, Citing Mount Comfort Cemetery; Fairfax County, Virginia, USA.

2. "CHESTERFIELD BOY HERO," War Report -DSC Awarded, The Chesterfield Advertiser, Chesterfield, South Carolina, 31 July 1919, Page 1, column 7; Digital On-Line Archives, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/:online November 2023)

3. https://www.worldwar1centennial.org/

4. en.wikipedia.org