By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Corporal George Blessing (ASN: 550602), 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 E, 38th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Corporal Blessing showed extraordinary heroism in action on 15 – 18 July 1918, near Moulin, France. Finding himself helplessly outnumbered, he ordered his men to seek safety and remained with an automatic rifle in advance of the men, thus enabling his men to gain safety. [A Distinguished Service Cross was awarded for this action.]
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
CorporalRegiment:
38th Infantry RegimentDivision:
3d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
July 14 – 15, 1918
War Department, General Orders No. 10 (1920)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 Corporal George Blessing (ASN: 550602), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company E, 38th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Moulins, France, July 14 – 15, 1918. Although exposed to severe artillery fire, Corporal Blessing kept the automatic rifle teams under his command in action, thus causing very heavy casualties to the enemy who were attempting to cross the Marne River in boats. The stubborn resistance of this unit prevented the enemy from gaining a foothold at a critical point of our lines. While encouraging his men to greater efforts he was killed by shell fire.