Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private

    Batallion:

    9th Field Signal Battalion

    Division:

    5th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    November 2 & 5, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 8 (1934)

    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 Private Herbert C. Bolton (ASN: 1113349), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company C, 9th Field Signal Battalion, 5th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, during the Meuse-Argonne offensive, France, 2 and 5 November 1918. On 2 November 1918, Private Bolton advanced with the assaulting company of the 60th Infantry into Chery-le-Petit and under intense enemy artillery and machine-gun fire, laid telephone lines, thus establishing communication between the forward elements and the regimental headquarters. On 5 November 1918, Private Bolton extended the telephone lines across the Meuse River and to the bank of the canal. Undeterred by the fact that the bridge across the canal was destroyed by enemy shell fire, Private Bolton under heavy enemy fire swam the canal with telephone equipment on his back and established communication between the advancing units of the regiment and the regimental headquarters. By his conspicuous bravery and utter disregard of personal safety in going forward as one of the first of the attacking forces, Private Bolton contributed largely to the success of the engagement.