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Lieutenant McDermott died in France on October 29, 1918 of wounds received in action.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Corps of Engineers)

    Regiment:

    7th Engineer Regiment

    Division:

    5th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 20, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 37 (1919)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Corps of Engineers) Morgan Bland McDermott, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 7th Engineers, 5th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Cunel, France, 20 October 1918. Accompanied by a soldier, First Lieutenant McDermott made a reconnaissance within the German lines and captured a machine-gun. Under heavy machine-gun fire he gave first-aid treatment to a wounded soldier and continued on his mission until he was himself severely wounded.