Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private First Class

    Regiment:

    165th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 28, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 14 (1923)

    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 Private First Class Joseph D. Graham (ASN: 89271), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company B, 165th Infantry Regiment, 42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Ourcq River, near Villers-sur-Fere, France, 28 July 1918. After repeated attempts had been made to rescue two wounded soldiers, who were lying within a hundred yards of the enemy lines, Sergeant Graham went out alone, over ground so swept by machine-gun and rifle fire that two men had been killed previously in the attempt, and succeeded in bringing the two wounded soldiers to safety, showing by his valor and devotion to duty an excellent example to the men of the organization.