William E. Cuff

Military Honor(s):

Distinguished Service Cross: Posthumousy awarded

Citation: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private William E. Cuff (ASN: 1402324), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Machine-Gun Company, 307th Infantry Regiment, 93d Division, A.E.F., at Mont-de-Sanges, France, 28 September 1918. Private Cuff carried important messages for his regimental commander, constantly exposing himself to heavy artillery and machine-gun fire until he was killed.

Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star: Posthumousy awarded

Citation: French Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star, under Order No. 62, dated November 24, 1918.

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Life & Service

  • Birth: 1 June 1897, Rocky Mount, VA, United States
  • Place of Residence:
  • Race/Ethnicity: African American
  • Death: 28 September 1918 Mont de Sanges, France
  • Branch: Army
  • Military Rank: Private
  • Company: [E]
  • Infantry Regiment: 370th
  • Division: 93rd
Personal Narrative
Early Life (Pre-War): Includes general parent information, sibling information, education Toggle Accordion

William E. Cuff was born to William Henry (1879-1909) and Emma Patterson (1881-1935) on 1 June 1897, in Rocky Mount, Tazewell County, Virginia. William was the eldest of four children, brother to Marion (1900-1902), Sarah (1904-1931) and Philmore (1907-1973). William’s family had been in the county for nearly two generations- his mother, Emma, frequently moved back to the area in her later life.

Service: Includes a summary of transfers, rank change(s), training, enlistment, and discharge locations Toggle Accordion

William enlisted in the 8th Illinois National Guard on 5 August 1917 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, where he was mustered into federal service on 7 April 1918. Private Cuff was then reassigned as Company E, 370th Infantry Regiment, 93rd Division, AEF, until 8 June 1918. Private Cuff and his company left Newport News, Virginia on 7 April 1918 on the U.S. Army Transport Ship President Grant, arriving in Brest, France on 14 April 1918. Private Cuff was reassigned for a final time to Machine Gun Company 2, 370th, from 8 June 1918 to his death on 28 September 1918. Private Cuff received the Distinguished Service Cross and French Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star for his actions on 28 September 1918 near Mont-de-Sanges, France;

“The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private William E. Cuff (ASN: 1402324), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Machine-Gun Company, 307th Infantry Regiment, 93d Division, A.E.F., at Mont-de-Sanges, France, 28 September 1918. Private Cuff carried important messages for his regimental commander, constantly exposing himself to heavy artillery and machine-gun fire until he was killed”. Posthumously awarded DSC by CG, AEF, December 6, 1918. Published in G.O. No. 44, W.D., 1919.

French Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star, under Order No. 62, dated November 24, 1918. No specific act mentioned.

Later Life (Post-War): Includes post-war education, occupation, marriage(s) and/or children, location and date of death Toggle Accordion

William was buried in the Oise-Aisne American Cemetery and Memorial in Fere-en-Tardenois, Departement de l’Aisne, Picardie, France. In 1921, William’s mother, Emma, participated in the World War I Mother’s Pilgrimage, where she was able to travel to France and visit William’s grave.