Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Armor)

    Batallion:

    301st Tank Battalion

    Division:

    Tank Corps, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 29, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 2 (1932)

    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 Second Lieutenant (Armor) Ernest F. Kusener, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 301st Tank Battalion, Tank Corps, American Expeditionary Forces, near Ronssoy, France, 29 September 1918. After his tank had been put out of action and set on fire by a direct hit which killed our of the crew, Lieutenant Kusener, utterly disregarding his own personal danger, entered the blazing tank which was still being fired on and dragged the remainder of the crew to safety. Displaying exceptional coolness and bravery he then carried two members of the crew, who had been seriously wounded, to a dressing station, the two trips being made over ground swept by heavy machine-gun fire.