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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 Corporal Dewey L. Owens (ASN: 553718), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company B, 8th Machine-Gun Battalion, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Chateau-Thierry, France, July 14 -15, 1918. While the enemy was attempting a crossing of the River Marne, Corporal Owens set his gun in position under heavy fire, losing some of his men in the exploit. He assisted the wounded to safety, after which he returned to his gun. When a shell struck his gun and disabled it, he secured another gun and placed it in position. This time all his men had become casualties, and, aided by a runner, he manned the gun. In attempting to repair it, after another hit, he was killed.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Batallion:

    8th Machine-Gun Battalion

    Division:

    3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 14 – 15, 1918
    Headquarters, 3d Division, A.E.F., Citation Orders No. 22 (July 8, 1919)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Corporal Dewey Owens (ASN: 553718), United States Army, is cited (Posthumously) by the Commanding General, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the World War I Victory Medals awarded him. While serving with Company B, 8th Machine Gun Battalion, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, on the night of 14 – 15 July 1918, Corporal Owens was in charge of his squad and had his gun in position. While the enemy barrage was coming down he took his gun into the dugout. In the early morning of 15 July, when the enemy effected a crossing of the Marine he put his gun into position under a very heavy fire. In doing so he lost some of his men. After having his gun in position he personally to the injured men back to the dressing statin over a shell-swept road. Returning, he did exceptional work in maintaining order and coolness in his squad and keeping his gun manned. A shell struck his gun, putting it out of action and causing further casualties. Corporal Owens immediately left his cover, went to a nearby artillery post, borrowed a gun from them and put it into position. By the time this gun was placed in position, all members of his squad were casualties. Corporal Owens took a runner with him to the gun emplacement, explained to him how to feed the gun and himself acted as gunner. A shell splinter damaged this gun and injured the runner. Corporal Owens immediately set about repairing the gun and while doing this was himself killed. [A Distinguished Service Cross was awarded for this action.]