Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Regiment:

    107th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    27th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 29, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 16 (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 Sergeant Whitney Bowles (ASN: 1225334), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company L, 107th Infantry Regiment, 27th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Le Catelet, France, 29 September 1918. After the advance had ceased Sergeant Bowles exposed himself to intense machine-gun fire in order to place the remains of his platoon in shell holes, and organize his platoon for defense. Later learning that an officer of another company lay severely wounded a short distance in front of our lines, Sergeant Bowles unhesitatingly advanced into heavy machine-gun fire toward the officer to rescue him. He was killed while attempting the rescue.