Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Bruce
Franklin
Warthen
November 10, 1900

–

June 1, 1970

Cemetery:

Fort Snelling National Cemetery

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Mechanician

    Regiment:

    76th Field Artillery Regiment

    Division:

    3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 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), Mechanician Bruce Warthen (ASN: 306756), United States Army, is cited 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 Battery E, 76th Field Artillery Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Mechanic Warthen showed extraordinary heroism, regardless of personal danger, during the German attack on 15 July 1918, at Norvins Ferme, near the Marne River, France, under heavy fire of enemy gas shell, when he declined to protect himself before he had finishing putting a gas mask on a wounded comrade, resulting in his being severely gassed from the enemy shells. [A Distinguished Service Cross was awarded for this action.]

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Mechanic

    Regiment:

    76th Field Artillery Regiment

    Division:

    3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 15, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 126 (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 Mechanic Bruce Franklin Warthen (ASN: 306756), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Battery E, 76th Field Artillery, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Nervins Ferme, France, 15 July 1918. During a severe gas shelling, Mechanic Warthen aided a wounded comrade in adjusting his mask before he had placed his own, resulting in his being seriously gassed.