Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    Foreign

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Regiment:

    Division Artillery

    Division:

    5th Armored Division, French Army

    Action Date:

    March 15 & 19, 1945

    War Department, General Orders No. 83 (October 2, 1945)

    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 Colonel Henri Gillot, Army of France, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy in action against enemy forces in France and Germany, on 15 and 19 March 1945. As Division Artillery Commander, 5th Armored Division, French Army, Colonel Gillot took a leading part in the decisive actions in which his division participated. In the break-through into German positions at Oberhoffen and in the assault crossings of the Lauter and Rhine Rivers, he assumed a most active part, demonstrating remarkable courage and untiring energy. Although he was under constant automatic-weapons fire at the crossings, he unhesitatingly kept forward with the leading infantrymen to assure them of the closest possible support. Colonel Gillot’s utter disregard for his personal safety enabled him to carry out perilous missions which were essential to Allied success.