Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union

By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Charles Sumner Jennison, United States Navy, is cited by the Commanding General, SECOND DIVISION A.E.F., for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Jennison distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving as a Corpsman attached to the Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces. With thirty-one other men, he showed the highest qualities and courage, aggressiveness and judgment, under trying conditions, under machine-gun and shell fire in the woods, much of the time in darkness. Due to their work in reorganizing and continuing the fight, the advance was carried on at the Bois de Belleau, France, in June 1918.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class

    Regiment:

    5th Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    World War I
    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Order No. 88 (1918)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Charles Sumner Jennison, United States Navy, is cited by the Commanding General, SECOND DIVISION A.E.F., for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Jennison distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving as a Corpsman attached to the Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces. Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Jennison exhibited exceptional heroism and devotion to duty by establishing advanced dressing stations and maintaining them as close to the front as possible in order to better take care of the wounded. He was constantly exposed to heavy shell and machine-gun fire, but showed an utter disregard for personal sfety in rendering first aid to the wounded and seeing to their evacuation. Pharmacist’s Mate Jennison was wounded but refused to be evacuated and continued to take care of the wounded forty-eight hours thereafter.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class

    Regiment:

    5th Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 4 – 6, 1918

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Charles Sumner Jennison, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Corpsman with the Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action at the front by assisting in establishing advanced dressing stations and maintaining them as close to the front as possible in order to better take care of the wounded. Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Jennison was constantly exposed to heavy shell and machine-gun fire, but showed an utter disregard for personal safety, and when wounded, refused to be evacuated, and continued to take care of the wounded for 48 hours thereafter.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class

    Regiment:

    5th Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 4 – 6, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 46 (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 Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Charles Sumner Jennison, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Corpsman with the Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Blanc Mont Ridge, France, October 4 – 6, 1918. Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Jennison worked fearlessly and efficiently at caring for the wounded in an advanced dressing station, exposed to heavy shell and rifle fire. He was wounded when a shell struck and partly wrecked his aid station, but he refused to be evacuated and continued at his post for 48 hours.