Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Mechanic

    Regiment:

    115th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    29th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 15, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 15 (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 Mechanic Russell C. Smith (ASN: 1284053), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company B, 115th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Verdun, France, 15 October 1918. While carrying a message to the battalion commander, in the Bois-de-Consenvoye, Mechanic Smith was caught in an artillery barrage and severely wounded. Greatly exhausted, he refused medical attention and continued with the message until he reached the battalion headquarters.