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Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant [then Private] Paul A. Bates (ASN: 546660), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company F, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Crezancy, France, 15 July 1918, and near Cunel, France, 10 October 1918. During a terrific bombardment on the morning of July 15 Sergeant Bates carried in and dressed the wounded at great personal risk to himself. On 10 October near Cunel, although fatally wounded, Sergeant Bates continued to command his men in attack on machine guns until the end.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant [then Private]

    Regiment:

    30th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 15, 1918
    Headquarters, 3d Division, A.E.F., Citation Orders No. 22 (July 8, 1919)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Sergeant [then Private] Paul A. Bates (ASN: 546660), United States Army, is cited (Posthumously) by the Commanding General, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the World War I Victory Medals awarded him. While serving with Company F, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, on the morning of 15 July 1918, during a terrific bombardment near Crezancy, France, at great personal risk Sergeant Bates carried in and dressed the wounded, saving many lives and by his exceptional coolness set an example deserving of special mention. [A Distinguished Service Cross was awarded for this action.]

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant [then Private]

    Regiment:

    30th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 10, 1918
    Headquarters, 3d Division, A.E.F., Citation Orders No. 22 (July 8, 1919)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Sergeant [then Private] Paul A. Bates (ASN: 546660), United States Army, is cited (Posthumously) by the Commanding General, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the World War I Victory Medals awarded him. While serving with Company F, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Cunel, France, on 10 October 1918, in an attack upon enemy machine guns with his platoon, although fatally wounded, Sergeant Bates continued to command his men until the end. [A Distinguished Service Cross was awarded for this action.]