William L. Baxter was born on September 15, 1899. He enlisted in the Army on April 15, 1917 at Fort Thomas, Kentucky. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I as a Private First Class in Machine Gun Company, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. He has showed exceptional bravery on May 28, 1918, during the capture and defense of Cantigny for seven hours during a terrific bombardment of high explosive shells of all calibers, with no protection except a shallow trench, he helped to keep in action his gun which was firing a barrage on the woods in which the enemy tried to form up for a counterattack against the newly captured town. By so doing, he was instrumental in breaking up five such attacks and thus contributed greatly to the success of the operation. He was killed while performing this act. He is now buried in Hebron Cemetery, Adams, Decatur County, Indiana, USA.

Source of information: Indiana Book of Merit