Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Batallion:

    306th Machine-Gun Battalion

    Division:

    77th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 2 – 7, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 13 (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 Corporal Maurice Edward Johnson (ASN: 1711846), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company D, 306th Machine-Gun Battalion, 77th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Binarville, France, October 2 – 7, 1918. Two platoons of his company being surrounded by strong enemy forces, Corporal Johnson continued to operate his machine gun with little rest for five days. Each day small enemy groups endeavored to capture the machine gun, which was stationed on the right flank of the company; on each occasion Corporal Johnson remained with his gun in the face of deadly enemy fire, delivering bursts of fire which drove the enemy raiders to cover, killing and wounding many of them. Wounded on October 4 by grenade fire, he still remained at his post; he was again wounded on October 5. On 7 October owing to his wounds, his machine gun was temporarily out of action and the ground held by riflemen. On the afternoon of this day the enemy launched an attack against the right flank, using liquid fire, whereupon Corporal Johnson, in spite of his exhaustion due to his wounds, resumed operation of his machine gun, and with such effect as to repulse the enemy.