Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Louis
Cukela
May 1, 1888

–

March 19, 1956

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

Sergeant Cukela served a two-year “hitch” in the army from 1914 – 1916, then joined the Marine Corps when his army enlistment was fulfilled. He retired as a Major in 1940, but returned to service when war broke out and served until 1946. He is one of five Marines to receive TWO Medals of Honor in World War I, and one of only 19 Total Double Recipients of the award.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant

    Regiment:

    Fifth Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 18 – 22, 1918
    Citation Orders, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918) Second Lieutenant Louis Cukela (MCSN: 0-207), United States Marine Corps, is cited by the Commanding General, SECOND Division, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Second Lieutenant Cukela distinguished himself while serving with the Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces at Soissons, France, 18 – 22 July 1918. (SECOND Citation)

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant

    Regiment:

    Fifth Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    March 14 – May 15, 1918
    Citation Orders, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918) Second Lieutenant Louis Cukela (MCSN: 0-207), United States Marine Corps, is cited by the Commanding General, SECOND Division, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Second Lieutenant Cukela distinguished himself while serving with the Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces at Toulon-Tryon, France, 14 March – 15 May 1918.

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Regiment:

    Fifth Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 18, 1918

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor (Navy Award) to Sergeant Louis Cukela (MCSN: 207), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the 66th Company, 5th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F., during action in Forest de Retz, near Viller-Cotterets, France, 18 July 1918. Sergeant Cukela advanced alone against an enemy strong point that was holding up his line. Disregarding the warnings of his comrades, he crawled out from the flank in the face of heavy fire and worked his way to the rear of the enemy position. Rushing a machine-gun emplacement, he killed or drove off the crew with his bayonet, bombed out the remaining part of the strong point with German hand grenades, and captured two machine guns and four men.

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Regiment:

    Fifth Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 18, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 34 (March 07, 1919)

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor (Army Award) to Sergeant Louis Cukela (MCSN: 207), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the 66th Company, 5th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F., at Villers-Cotterets, France, 18 July 1918. When his company, advancing through a wood, met with strong resistance from an enemy strong point, Sergeant Cukela crawled out from the flank and made his way toward the German lines in the face of heavy fire, disregarding the warnings of his comrades. He succeeded in getting behind the enemy position and rushed a machinegun emplacement, killing or driving off the crew with his bayonet. With German hand grenades he then bombed out the remaining portion of the strong point, capturing four men and two damaged machine guns.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant

    Regiment:

    Fifth Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 18 – 22, 1918
    Citation Orders, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918) Second Lieutenant Louis Cukela (MCSN: 0-207), United States Marine Corps, is cited by the Commanding General, SECOND Division, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Second Lieutenant Cukela distinguished himself while serving with the Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces at Soissons, France, 18 – 22 July 1918. (THIRD Citation)