Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private

    Regiment:

    312th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    78th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 22, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 35 (1919)

    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 Ferdinand A. Schmidt (ASN: 2407360), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company B, 312th Infantry Regiment, 78th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Talma Farm, France, 22 October 1918. When his company’s advance had been held up by intense machine-gun fire, Private Schmidt crawled through a barrage of hand grenades, and at the point of his bayonet held 19 of the enemy in a dugout until assistance arrived. Before performing this courageous act, he was slightly wounded.