William Acheson served in the U.S. Army as a Second Lieutenant in Company A of the 320th Machine Gun Battalion, 82nd Division, A.E.F. He was killed in action on October 14, 1918 near St. Juvin, France in the Argonne Forest. A recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, the citation reads: "The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William Chalmers Acheson, Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near St. Juvin, France, October 14, 1918. Seeing a flank position exposed by the non-arrival of an infantry regiment, Lieutenant Acheson promptly moved his four guns to the position and held off a strong attack by the enemy. During the action 30 prisoners were taken, but nearly all his platoon had been killed or wounded. Lieutenant Acheson personally operated a gun and, although wounded, poured a most effective fire into the ranks of the enemy, continuing until he died from loss of blood. General Orders No. 44, 1919"
