Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    28th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 19 & October 4, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 12, 1929

    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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Victor Earl Garrett, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Berzy-le-Sec, France, 19 July 1918, and near Exermont, France, 4 October 1918. Lieutenant Garrett displayed great courage and self-sacrifice during the four days’ battle south of Soissons, conducting his platoon with calmness and good judgment, especially on 19 July 1918, when he aided in keeping his company together when large shells struck among the men, personally supervising the care of the wounded and getting them to aid stations, with utter disregard of his own safety, while subjected to heavy enemy artillery and machine-gun fire. Lieutenant Garrett displayed extraordinary heroism during the three days previous to the attack on Exermont, France, by refusing to be evacuated although suffering from an injury to his foot, remaining at his post until 4 October 1918, when acting as liaison officer, he with five men was suddenly confronted by 20 Germans, and while leading the attack he made the supreme sacrifice. His dauntless courage and excellent example enabled his men to take the Germans as prisoners.