Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant Major

    Regiment:

    316th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    79th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    November 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 pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant Major Robert Stott MacCormack (ASN: 3195925), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 316th Infantry Regiment, 79th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Hill 378, the Borne-du-Cornouiller, France, 4 November 1918. During an enemy counterattack which resulted in the temporary recapture of the Borne-du-Cornouiller, the enemy swept over the position. Sergeant Major MacCormack and his battalion commander, the later being seriously wounded, were alone in the second line of trenches. Although entirely surrounded by overwhelming numbers of the enemy, Sergeant Major MacCormack gallantly stood his ground, firing his automatic pistol at enemy soldiers until ordered to surrender by his wounded commanding officer. After being captured he assisted the wounded officer to the enemy lines amid terrific artillery fire from his own lines. Ordered by his battalion commander to leave him and seek shelter, he refused, remaining under constant and intense American fire for three hours while assisting the wounded officer to a place of safety. Sergeant Major MacCormack displayed extraordinary heroism under fire and a soldierly devotion to his commanding officer.