Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private

    Regiment:

    107th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    27th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 29, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 16 (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 Private Joseph Mastine (ASN: 1210351), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company D, 107th Infantry Regiment, 27th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, east of Ronssoy, France, 29 September 1918. Finding the advance of his organization held up by a withering enemy machine-gun fire, Private Mastine volunteered to accompany another soldier forward and with utter disregard of their own personal danger, they rushed forward through an intense machine-gun fire directly upon the enemy nest, killing two and capturing five of the enemy and silencing that gun. Discovering another machine-gun nest close by, which was pouring a deadly fire on the American forces, preventing their advance, Private Mastine and his companion charged upon this strong point, killing the gunner, and putting this machine gun out of action. Without hesitation they jumped into the enemy’s trench, killed two and captured sixteen German soldiers. Private Mastine then rejoined his platoon and continued to advance until wounded.