Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    306th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    77th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 5, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 99 (1918)

    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 (Infantry) Charles O’Brien, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 306th Infantry Regiment, 77th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Le Cendriere Woods, near the Aisne Canal, 5 September 1918. Lieutenant O’Brien led his platoon forward toward the Le Cendriere woods under heavy shell fire. When wounded in the left leg, one of his men urged him to stop and have the wound dressed. He answered, “Never mind that; they can’t stop us,” and led his platoon through the woods to the bank of the Aisne Canal, where, while placing his men in position, he was struck again and killed. His dauntless courage presented an inspiring example to the men of his platoon.