Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    148th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    37th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 29, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 3 (1921)

    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 (Infantry) John Laurence Letzing, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, north of Montfaucon, France, 29 September 1918. During the attack Lieutenant Letzing exposed himself to heavy artillery, rifle, and machine-gun fire to lead tanks against enemy machine-gun positions. After the tanks had been withdrawn he walked up and down the firing line of his platoon and encouraged his men to greater efforts.