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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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Joseph J. Brown, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company A, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in the Bois-de-Belleau, on 20 June 1918. First Lieutenant Brown went out into No Man’s Land in the face of a violent German machine-gun fire to carry back into his own trenches a severely wounded soldier.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    7th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    June 20, 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), First Lieutenant (Infantry) Joseph J. Brown, United States Army, is cited 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 he was serving with Company A, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, the 7th Infantry Regiment was operating in the Bois de Belleau on 20 June 1918, and Company A 7th Infantry attacked the enemy’s position but was forced to withdraw leaving Private Muir McKelvey, No. 2397177, Company A, 7th Infantry Regiment, severely wounded on the battlefield and only a short distance from the enemy’s lines, in No Man’s Land. Lieutenant Brown, observing Private McKelvey, left the shelter of his trench and went forward about 175 yards into No Man’s Land to the rescue of this soldier and although exposed to the fire of at least four machine guns and a number of snipers, accomplished the rescue of this wounded soldier. [A Distinguished Service Cross was awarded for this action.]