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The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Private James H. Roberts (MCSN: 84546), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the 51st Company, 5th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F. in action south of Soissons, France, 18 July 1918. Private Roberts, armed with an automatic rifle, crawled through a wire entanglement and disabled one machine gun with a hand grenade and forced the crew of a second gun to surrender. His action enabled his company to pass through the entanglement without serious loss.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Private

    Regiment:

    Fifth Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 18 – 22, 1918
    Citation Orders, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D. 1918), Private James H. Roberts (MCSN: 84546), United States Marine Corps, is cited (Posthumously) by the Commanding General, SECOND DIVISION, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Private Roberts distinguished himself while serving with the 51st Company, Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces at Soissons, France, 18 to 22 July 1918.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Private

    Regiment:

    Fifth Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 18, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 55 (1920)

    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 James H. Roberts (MCSN: 84546), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the Fifty-First Company, Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F., in action south of Soissons, France, 18 July 1918. Private Roberts, armed with an automatic rifle, crawled through a wire entanglement and disabled one machine gun with a hand grenade and forced the crew of a second gun to surrender. His action enabled his company to pass through the entanglement without serious loss.