Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private

    Regiment:

    23d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 2, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 19 (1920)

    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 William H. McCarthy (ASN: 51181), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company H, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Vaux, France, 2 July 1918. During an artillery bombardment Private McCarthy was wounded and rendered unconscious by the explosion of a large shell. Upon recovering consciousness he gave no thought to his own wound but devoted himself to the rescue of other wounded and carried them through enemy fire to a place of shelter.