By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Captain (Corps of Engineers) Madison H. Lewis, United States Army, is cited 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. Captain Lewis distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 302d Engineers, 77th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action north of Villersavoye, France, 18 August 1918, in rescuing soldiers who had fallen into the Vesle River with full packs. [This award was rescinded under GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 8 (March 1, 1920) as the recipient has been awarded a Distinguished Service Cross for deed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.]
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Corps of Engineers)Regiment:
302d Engineer RegimentDivision:
77th Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
August 18, 1918
War Department, General Orders 98 (1919)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Corps of Engineers) Madison H. Lewis, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 302d Engineers, 77th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Ville-Savoye, France, 18 August 1918. Under enemy fire, high explosive and gas, Captain Lewis voluntarily plunged into the Vesle River to rescue some soldiers who had fallen into the water with full packs while crossing a footbridge, and were in danger of drowning. In order to see, he removed his gas mask, and, as a result, was severely gassed.