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By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Captain (Signal Corps) George C. Cox, United States Army, is cited for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Captain Cox distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 2d Field Signal Battalion, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Exermont, France, 8 October 1918. In preparation for the advance of the 1st Division of October 8th in the vicinity of Exermont, Captain Cox, while under extremely heavy hostile shell fire and constant and heavy machine gun fire, ran three separate and distinct telephone lines forward and over Hill 240, thus establishing and insuring communication for the front line observation post.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Signal Corps)

    Batallion:

    2d Field Signal Battalion

    Division:

    1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    May 27 – 31, 1918
    Headquarters, 1st Division, A.E.F., General Orders No. 29 (June 22, 1918)

    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 (Signal Corps) George C. Cox, United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. First Lieutenant Cox distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 2d Field Battalion, Signal Corps, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action during the operations connected with the capture and defense of Cantigny, France, 27 to 31 May 1918. First Lieutenant Cox performed his duty of maintaining telephone communication during the attack with great courage and efficiency thus enabling the command to be informed, at all times, as to the progress of the attack.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Signal Corps)

    Batallion:

    2d Field Signal Battalion

    Division:

    1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 4 – 5, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 15 (1923)

    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 Captain (Signal Corps) George C. Cox, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 2d Field Signal Battalion, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Hill 240, north of Exermont, France, October 4 – 5, 1918. Captain Cox made a most hazardous daylight reconnaissance in front of the American lines to determine the disposition of the enemy then holding this hill. During this entire exploit he was under close-range rifle and machine-gun fire. Subsequently he accompanied the assault wave in the attack, and, with two noncommissioned officers, established and maintained, from October 5 – 9, 1918, telephonic communication on Hill 240 under intense artillery concentrations and in spite of direct machine-gun fire. This action was vital to the combat efficiency of the command and the success of the 1st Brigade.