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Navy Federal Credit Union

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 Sergeant Samuel H. Hanna (ASN: 574104), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company B, 12th Machine-Gun Battalion, 4th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Bois-du-Fays, France, 29 September 1918. When Company C, 58th Infantry, was temporarily halted by heavy machine-gun fire, Sergeant Hanna exposed himself to enfilading fire in order to place his guns in position to execute a covering fire for the Infantry. With the aid of the fire from the machine guns under his command the advance was resumed. In the performance of this deed he was mortally wounded.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Batallion:

    12th Machine-Gun Battalion

    Division:

    4th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 30, 1918
    GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 2 (June 3, 1919)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Sergeant Samuel H. Hanna (ASN: 574104), United States Army, is cited (Posthumously) by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Sergeant Hanna distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 12th Machine-Gun Battalion, 4th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action on 30 September 1918, in the advance from Bois de Septsarge to Bois de Fays, France, in directing the placing of his gun on the right flank of Company C, so as to cover the advance with machine gun fire directed on the enemy. [This award was rescinded under GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 8 (March 1, 1920) as the recipient has been awarded a Distinguished Service Cross for deed including this act.]